My beautiful dining room table.
Sweet Nathaniel cut the brown-eyed Susans, found a jar, and arranged them himself. Sunny Si couldn’t be left out so he cut what we call “little daisies” and found his own jar. They bring me these little treasures and don’t realize that the two of them are my truest treasures. And see the dirty dishes? Look at their arrangement. Close. Intimate. First breakfast, with my love. Quiet, private, shared. Not sure who played monopoly, but we don’t have non-competitive children so I’m sure it was loud. The other items are remnants of second breakfast, (Charlie), and third breakfast, (middle and youngest kiddos). The placemats are askew and evidence of the speed of life right now: work, swim, garden, camps, book club, band, school, chores, chores, chores, eat, eat, eat, practice, practice, practice, run, run, run. Very little space for calm, the Word, devotions, prayer time, worship, disciplines, routines.
Fix the breakfast, mama. (And sometimes sleep in, if you can. 😉)
Create the space. Be soft and warm and what they call home.

 

Say the prayers.

Sing the songs.

Listen to the stories.

And capture the picture of the flowers in the middle of the mess. Smell them and delight in them; the dirty little boys (and girls) too.

It’s all worship. Take it in and breathe it back out.

 

Psalm 33:13-15

 

The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men;
From His dwelling place He looks out
On all the inhabitants of the earth,
He who fashions the hearts of them all,
He who understands all their works.

Father,
Remind us individually and intimately that You see us, You intentionally look out on us here below, and that You haven’t forgotten Your creation- the hearts You formed like a potter at His wheel. You understand our works, and the motives behind them, infinitely more than we understand ourselves. You comprehend the hearts and hurts and hopes of those in our homes, who have been entrusted to our care, more than we will ever come close. Help us to lay down our concerns in prayer and lift up our hands in the hard work of worship through service. Show us how to best serve each soul in our home and how to make our homes a haven in this busy world.
In the Name of Jesus,
Amen