In Which we Get Real about our Mess - Five Minute Friday

I wasn't gonna write. I mean, sure - I know it's Five Minute Friday and I can't remember when I actually missed writing a post... surely, I have.  But even though I may miss out on a little Thursday night party, I rarely miss out on writing a prompt (who can't find 5 minutes, right?) and linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker and the incredible Gathering of Awesome that happens at her place every Friday! But, I posted a lot already this week... an #inrl recap/#1000gifts post, and two book reviews (one for Rhinestone Jesus - where you can win a copy, and one for our own Lisa-Jo's Surprised by Motherhood) so by Thursday night, it felt like you had heard enough from me... and yet... here I am, sharing my Mess. Because we are all about keeping it real, yes?

Oh but - first - the fine print: if you don't know what FMF is!  Five Minute Fridays are hosted by Lisa Jo Baker.  It is open to anyone, so to learn more about it - and to jump in yourself (the more the merrier!) or just to find a linky to see what everyone is writing about today - click HERE!  The idea is to simply write... for Five Minutes flat... no editing, no deep thinking - or at least REthinking, no spell check - just write! Let it flow! We all write using a prompt that Lisa posts at 10pm Thursday night (EST.)  I'm loving the community of amazing bloggers and the creativity that flows from these magical Five Minutes!

So - here goes: Five Minute Friday - The Word Prompt is: MESS

{GO}


So - we're gonna be all real and open and talk about our Messes, eh?  

Well alrighty then! 

I have talked about the Messes before... I like to think I am open and honest around these parts and while I may not air my dirty laundry, I at least keep it real enough to let ya know I have dirty laundry... but what my Mess is really wrapped up in this week is the clean laundry, (in piles... always unfolded and dug through.)

Cleaning the bathtub, vacuuming the stairs, and folding my laundry... those are my top three worst chores.  I am blessed and my Honey is amazing and he usually does the tub and the stairs, but those clothes... they are mine and I can find myself some clean clothes in a basket or a drawer - either way is fine with me.  But to my Honey - it is a pet peeve.  I know this... some days I stay aware of it all the way through the laundry cycle and manage to actually follow through enough to put all the clothes away.  Like - where they belong, even!  But other most days, I let them sit. I get distracted. I can't care to finish. Something else... something sparkly or fun grabs hold of my attention and I assure myself I will go back to it, but I rarely do!

I can make excuses... some of them are good ones. Some are even valid.  But it really comes down to this: I know it bothers him. Not much really gets under his skin and as I said - he's amazing at helping out. So - it should have come as no surprise when we came home (from Bible college, no less) last night - that the kitchen was a mess, the dishes piled up, the floor needed mopping, and the laundry... ugh... the laundry ya'll... 

 Now - I should back up just a little and say this... (I wrote about it here earlier I believe) - we stepped up to minister together this year.  We decided maybe we had a thing or two to teach about marriage and parenting and so really - these little miscommunications, these taken for granted's, or passive aggressive outbursts (on both our parts) while unusual for us - should not be surprising, right? I mean - it's not like we shouldn't have seen it coming!  The enemy is consistent.

After hosting #inrl last weekend, I sort of took the week off.  Not on purpose, per say - but I gave myself grace.  I pour out all week long. I am a Mama and I mother everywhere I go. 

But here is the thing:

My Honey doesn't often need or want me to mother him.  He needs me to sit with him, on a bench... and love him.  He needs me to listen and make time and show him that he is a priority. He needs me to put our college girlie to bed (or at least pretend she's asleep) and sit with him, and for the love, Do The Laundry!

You see, his is the most important Bench that I share and I can forget that.  

We are blessed with a great marriage... but the danger in that blessing is that it's so easily taken for granted!  I have repurposed in my heart this week to say Yes in my Mess (but to also just fold my clothes and put them away!)  I am intentionally slowing down, unplugging, and sitting on a Bench with my Honey to drink in Spring, and be refreshed, side by side!

{STOP}

The photo's were taken on Sunday afternoon at our local Arboretum... where my Honey and I strolled around because he knows how I love me some Springtime and a camera in hand! That Bench... simply a visual reminder to Come Away with him and sit awhile - which is what I am off to do now! (Praise God for texts and grace and I love you's and I'm sorry's - but nothing beats some face to face time, side by side.)

What about you?  What are the triggers that you could pay more attention to, or how can I pray for you to find time to sit on those important Benches?


Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click here to read what others have to say about "MESS"