Motherdynamics

Ann Voskamp said it true this morning: 

"Science may call it entropy, the second law of thermodynamics — nature slipping from order to disorder. But really, it’s this: the first law of motherdynamics — the clean always slips to chaos."

 

Sometimes we go around taking pictures of the mess, when we are feeling brave, and ready to conquer.  When we want to be able to look back and compare, and breath gratefulness at the results of our efforts, remembering the ugliness of the past, feeling proud that we made things new.

Sometimes I forget about that old picture, the ugly one; I don't really want to dwell on that anyway.  So I don't look back and see how bad it really was, where we started from.  And sometimes I get so caught up living in the new that I forget to take a picture of that, and all I have is half a record.... an album full of messiness.  I sometimes wonder, if I were to die and my survivors were to see my records, would they see how I immortalized the mess, or celebrated the newness, the redemption, the results of all the hard work?

We did this together, as a family, and I led the way,with encouragement.  My demeanor meant everything to this.  I got up and walked, with a little elbow grease and a lot of coffee and I loved on them and we worked as a team.  As much as I'd like everything to be equal and really, easier for me, I am their leader and that is my calling.

And there was another.  Those are steam-cleaned beige dining room carpets (the decorating flaw that is my homemaker's affliction!)  That only happened because of the kindness of a friend.  We don't come to this alone.  It is good to remember.

Today I am inspired greatly by Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience.  ALL MAMAS,  YOU MUST READ THIS!  These are good, redemptive words...

"Simple acts of cleaning are my humble, conquering efforts in the quotidian struggle between chaos and order, creation and disintegration, God and Death."

"True saints don't seek God only in still cells, but commune with Him in the clatter and the kids calling -- this is their calling."

I am thankful today for how far we have come, that we haven't come here alone, and that there is cleanliness and order to show for it.  I am thankful that this is my calling.