Blessings in a corner of chaos

The entry to the back door looks like this on any given day of the year.

Some days when I walk past a similar version of this disaster I get so irritated as I trip over shoes that I impulsively want to kick a few just to see where they land. I know it won’t make a difference and the owner of the shoes won’t even notice.

There are afternoons that I think I should gather backpacks up and unceremoniously dump them all into the same locker and slam the door shut (a little more loudly than it needs to be) in hopes that someone might overhear my not-so-silent temper tantrum reminder.

This corner of my home tends to exhaust me and often makes me feel like giving up because it’s a lost cause.

Why can’t the shoes get put away?

Why are there so many?

Why does no one else care that this is a disaster?

Why do I have to ask a million times, only to be ignored?

Week in, week out. On repeat.

For years.

Earlier this week I came across this quote that struck me:

“Joyful homemaking comes when we make Jesus Christ the guest of honor in our homes and do everything for his glory alone.” — Leslie Ludy

Heart check.

Yesterday when I came upon this familiar scene of chaos and felt the familiar internal grumblings rise to the surface, I forced myself to pause.

They are just shoes. Just backpacks. Just things. Signs of bustling childhoods where kids are so excited to be home that they don’t have time to slow down and put things away. They find home so comfortable that they make it their own without a second thought.

I could grumble that I trip over shoes daily, or I could be thankful that they have plenty of shoes.

I could be irritated that backpacks lie on the floor mere inches away from where they should be neatly hung, or I could think of the good day they spent at school.

I could be frustrated that lunchboxes are often not emptied, or I could be grateful that there is always money to buy ample food.

There is joy, blessing, and gratitude to be found in this corner of chaos.

Heart check: I get to take care of these people. It is my privilege to keep a home clean, welcoming, and a safe haven for them. And when I serve them, I am serving my Savior.

A little less chaos

I’ve mentioned that our family uses Young Living because it takes the guesswork out of finding safe products for my home.

From cleaners, to the oils we diffuse, to not having to run to the pharmacy at 2AM, I’m thankful that I have one brand that I know and can trust so that I don’t have to constantly read labels and research ingredients. I already know I’m getting the best possible product, and that saves me time and mental energy. It leads to a little less chaos in my life.

Next week Young Living is having their annual Black Friday sale, and dozens and dozens of my favorite products are up to 50% off!

If you’d like to hear what my favorite sale products are for general wellness, respiratory support, better sleep, and supporting your emotions during winter, text BF22 to 760-232-4810 and I’ll send you a few texts so you know what your best options are!

I know you have many choices about where to spend your money this year, and I appreciate your business so much!

Snippet from my week

My parents visited last week and we took a stroll on the Oceanside pier - something we hadn’t done in ages! We saw a pelican steal a fisherwoman’s catch right off the boardwalk, a whale spouting off in the distance, a sea lion playing in the waves, and several sting rays coasting along the breakers. A good day and a good memory I’m tucking away for keeps!

Thanks for reading! What corner of your home feels like chaos? Have you ever tried to find joy in it? I’d love to hear about it. Just hit reply if you’d like to respond. (When you hit reply, your message goes directly to my email. It’s a private conversation between just us.) I read all your messages and try to respond, but not always in a timely manner. Sorry! And if you enjoyed this email, you’d be doing me a favor by forwarding it to someone else who might like it.