Ever wonder why I really sit out on my patio and sip hot coffee? Well, maybe it’s possible that every piece of furniture inside the house has laundry piled in it or draped over it. Unless you stop by for a visit you will never know. But then again, if it is I will have the blinds closed and I won’t answer the door when you knock! “Sorry Bout the Mess But We Live Here”

I used to be OCD about a clean house. Why? Because my mother was, and that’s how I gained her approval was by keeping a clean house. However, it was never clean enough for her approval. I lived in my house with a messy husband and one messy child and one semi messy child. During a bathroom inspection I was told by the youngest child that she could never get it clean enough to pass my white glove test. Truth is I was a tough judge, but the competitor didn’t clean like she cared, and had quickly rushed through it and left a messy mirror. When my momma would pull up unannounced outside I turned into a bulldog drill sergeant barking orders for kids to grab all their stuff and hide it.

Now there are some therapy type advantages to cleaning alone with the tunes cranked up, and then sitting in awe of a finished project. But group therapy is so much better. I let the kids do their chores, their way but I required a check off list. I’d been listening to good advice all my life but finally acting on it was a major breakthrough. I started doing a few things each day, so that it didn’t all build up and I stopped being so OCD over it…..well almost.

Now at the empty nest season in our lives my philosophy is mostly, “Sorry Bout the Mess But We Live Here” and while there is some cleaning to be done, my door is always open and there is a place for you at my kitchen table or patio table. These days I channel my OCD towards improving on my messy emotions, prayer life and my relationships.

Won’t you act on some good advice and…..join me!

“God, we want your approval, not the wishy-washy approval of man. Your check off list is not overwhelming and you are willing to guide us, teach us and love us unconditionally. Help us regain order to our messy emotions and marriages and apply your truths. Thank you, in Jesus name amen.”