Caught Mid Chaos!
Getting Ready for Foster Siblings!
Painting and changing a light turned into putting in insulation and replacing the ceiling!
We all feel inadequate and embarrassed when someone catches us mid chaos. Yesterday, I stopped by a friend’s house to drop off my book, and her husband repeatedly apologized for the living room that had the kind of mess only kids can make - couch cushions on the floor and random kid stuff everywhere.
“Oh, I know all about messes, and we are about to expand to a family of twelve, so you don’t have to apologize.”
As I walked in my door a couple of minutes later, I was tempted to take a picture of our chaos as the kids were dragging new mattresses through the house for their siblings who will be arriving this weekend. My husband and four of our kids were standing on a bed, holding up new drywall as my husband secured it to the ceiling... because NOTHING is ever as simple as it should be!
When I asked my husband to replace a flickering light last night, we discovered the ceiling was just white crumbly foam (like a cheap cooler is made out of) that the people before us sprayed ceiling texture too!
REALLY!?!
Who does that?
And why did it take us three years to discover it! And, why did we have to deal with this big remodel the night before we have our foster children’s siblings move in? Of course, there was no insulation between the studs either.
Oh, and I forgot to tell you that I had begun repainting the room before I asked my husband to change out the light. The kids helped push all the furniture to one side. I painted one wall and part of the built-in bookshelf with white primer over the top of the brown walls.
When just looking at this chaos starts to cause anxiety to rise, I remember what my fun-loving mom says, “Sometimes you have to lower your standards.”
When I need clarity, I run Philippians 4:8 through my mind, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
What is the truth? When the kids move in. The new ceiling and light will be done. I will have to be intentional about not letting the unfinished paint on the walls annoy me, but I will get it done (hopefully this weekend).
Truth: The kids have moved a lot in their lives and lived with many different people. They are so excited about being together they wouldn’t care if it ends up being a slumber party in the living room for the first night. That will make their reunion that much more memorable. They just crave the security of being together.
Truth: These children being together today is more important than what color the walls are in their room. Ok, that is so obvious it is embarrassing to even write. I just needed to say it for myself. Perspective can be so humbling at times.
While I haven’t achieved peace in the middle of chaos, I’m learning to move forward confidently with what I know I need to do next, even if the disorganization of the unexpected and unknown makes me uncomfortable at times. (Notice I didn’t show a picture of the whole messy kids room).
How are you dealing with your moments of chaos? What is the truth about your situation? Taking a moment to reflect really does take some of the pressure off. Try it.
Well, I have some painting to do. I better get to it!
Be Brave and Love Well today.
~ Robin