I thought very carefully about the photo I chose for my 15 years too late grand entre into the overly saturated blogosphere. I believe strongly in the power of a well-chosen picture, and wanted my initial selection to embody the life behind the blog. In this picture, a once orderly laundry basket, filled with good intentions, has lost its contents and exploded throughout our living room. The items were assisted in their journey by my fun-loving toddler, who in a matter of minutes scattered around thirty cloth diapers and other baby clothes/miscellany near and far with gusto. Because washing and de-staining poop-laden apparel wasn’t enough for my night: she knew I need to get some extra squats in because #squatsarelife.
Why this picture matters.
My house is rarely tidy, and I could write about all the reasons why but who cares really. The essential point is that it’s often a #hotmess and I hope to pepper this blog with periodic comedic photos of the cluttered chaos I engage in duels with on the weekly. The toddler is a big part of it, though it would be unjust to lay it all at her adorable feet! YES, I have read XYZ blog or its twin sister ABC article with this revolutionary tidying method. Yes I know working Moms with well-organized homes. But I like to play outside when I’m home, I have dreams of crafting in the future, and people are always donating bins of stuff to my house so #NotMinimalistYet though I’ve read Kondo’s book at least four times if I’m being real.
Still haven’t mastered these euphoric facial expressions while folding laundry, but I’m diligently working on that.
I hope that my posts and the general spirit of my blog will help encourage those whose homes (or daily lives) have not quite made it to their ‘after’ photo stage. The few parts of my home that have ‘arrived’ and stay that way, are probably not used very often. And several of them ‘need’ renovating if we are being honest. I pray that if you return and follow along that I can at the very least make you chuckle and optimally ease the feeling that you or your home are not enough, if neither look like a pinterest ‘after’ photo or something out of Cottage Living magazine.
On a more serious and biblical note, I believe a home’s value originates in the amenities and comfort it provides within God’s plan for His People. Namely, security (worry not), place to worship, place to rest your head, venue for bringing others in to disciple according to Christ’s commission. None of which require Pinterest-worthy aesthetics or MiniMcMansion measurements. I know I have passed up opportunities to build community and serve others, out of feeling that my home (or myself) were not good enough. NO MORE.
I love this photo because I feel it transcends its context. Life is like this photo. Despite the best laid plans and intentions, we live in a fallen world, and life doesn’t always go by our designs. Once we learn to embrace how little we truly control, we can find freedom. Freedom from perfection, freedom from unrealistic expectations, freedom from comparison. Find freedom my friends, find freedom.
And lastly, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9. So basically, even the Bible is telling us my blog is not remotely original despite my best efforts. #WellITried #ChristianComedy #OutofContext
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Love,
Charis
Edit: I do now have an Instagram, so I will have to learn how the hashtag thing works!
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