The words new year and declutter seems to go hand in hand. I love an organized, neat and clean home. Our house is my happy place, and organization is my comfort. I have a cleaning routine, a laundry schedule, and a particular way I prefer to keep things neat and tidy. But unfortunately I seem to always be picking up someone's dirty socks, books, coats, and toys on the regular. Nobody seems to want to join me in my quest for an organized home. It can cause quite the frustration.
I was standing at my favorite spot recently (the end of the kitchen island where I prepare all our meals) when I noticed under the breakfast nook table there seemed to be quite a collection of clutter. The next day was "cleaning day", but I had to laugh at how much clutter had seemed to gather in a week. There were 2 Nerf bullets, 2 soccer balls (a full size and a small one), a balloon, a book, another small basketball, a pencil, a few Legos, and at least a 1/4 cup worth of turf beads. You may be asking what turf beads are, they are the most annoying small black pellets that are found on turf fields for soccer or football, and they wreak havoc on me, my washing machine, and my minivan with 3 soccer players and a soccer coach in my house.
How is this even possible?
I wanted to get mad. I needed to yell at someone and rant about how ridiculous this was. But, I took a few deep breaths and instead just yelled for backup on cleaning up the mess. No lectures, just lets clean it up with a smile.
A few days later I bent to pick up Legos again (Legos and Nerf Bullets abound), when I stopped and stared at what was staring back a me. A perfect little heart. Notched in the floor, there it was and it was absolutely beautiful. I had never noticed this small little heart, but it was a glimmer my heavy heart needed that day. As if to smile and say, enjoy this season, the heart was a much needed sign.
I long for a neat and clutter-free house, but I long for a happy home even more. Where Legos are played, Nerf bullets are shot, books are read, and soccer is played on the regular. Yes, there is an indoor soccer game that involves kicking over cups that was invented during the World Cup, and every thing in it's path is in danger of breaking...but it's fun to watch and cheer for. I want a home with laughter, smiles, memories, and joy. There will be a day when there are no practices to rush to or games to attend, and I am going to miss picking up those Legos.
So, I will smile at the clutter. I will be thankful for the chaos and mess. I will show joy in the midst of the mundane and everyday tasks. I will be thankful for little things in 2023.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
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