Embrace the MESS

Wow! Sometimes it's like God hits you upside the head with the same message multiple times in a short time frame. Okay, maybe that's just me because I'm a little hard headed (just a little, haha).

In the last week, four message's with similar content have fallen into my lap and all three have spoken to me Big Time. The overall message can basically be summed up with this phrase... Embrace the Mess.

I have always been a clean and organizational freak. Then I got married to a beautiful woman who is more laid back than I am about messiness. Still, no big deal as she she has helped me relax a little and not have to space all my hangers evenly in my closet.

Now we have three children and a life style that always has us on the go. Add this up and what do you get.. Mess! It seems like we clean, organize, turn around, then do it again and again and again. You get my point.

My personality + mess=Stress.

Now to the messages that have been speaking to my innermost being. I will list the messages and then below list some of the things I have learned from them.

1. The first message came in the form of a podcast from Pastor Steven Furtick of +Elevation Church. This is message is entitled: "How to Love the Mud". Here is a link for those who'd like to see it online(It's Awesome!): How to Love the Mud

2. Then I read a Blog from one of my favorite authors +Andy Andrews entitled "The Source of True Happiness". Read here if you'd like: The Source of True Happiness

3. The third message came when my oldest daughter ask my wife "Why is Daddy always cranky?" Ouch.

4. The last message came this morning as I did my Bible study. It was from Pastor +Joel Osteen. Here is a link to the message: Catch the Little Foxes

After listening to the podcast, reading the blog, having my wife relay the message from my oldest daughter, and reading my Bible study here is what I've gleaned:

• Stop stressing over things that don't really matter. Why? In the grand scheme of things... they don't really matter is why. 
• Be thankful for the toys, clothes, food, etc. on the floor, it means I have children. There are a lot of people out there that would give anything to have children. 
• Who cares if there are bills and mail piled on the counter, it means I have a house, electricity, and running water. A lot of people don't have any of these things. Plus, I have eye sight to see the mess!
• So what if the laundry is piling up, this means we have clothes to wear. 
• My kids are being loud and fighting (this gets messy believe me). Again, I have children and that's an incredible Blessing. Oh, and I can hear! 
• My perspective determines my attitude. My attitude determines how I feel. How I feel determines my actions. So the proper perspective is critically important in this entire lesson. 
• Embrace the Mess with a Grateful Heart!

One additional thought about this topic of embracing the mess. In the words of my friend and top notch Pro MMA fighter +LC Davis ... "You chose this life Homie!" (LC tells himself this when life gets hectic). 

Indeed, I did choose this life and love it. When things get messy and my attitude gets bad I have to remind myself that I chose this life and be grateful for every second of it. I have to Embrace the Mess!

EMBRACE IT!