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Do you ever feel STUCK? In 2000, I began looking for answers to some tough questions in my life. I'd searched high & low and finally conceded to search the promises found in the Bible. Those promises have sustained & guided me through the loss of a parent, the struggle with anxiety & depression, the loss of a valued relationship and so much more! I've found joy amid the pain. And, I want to share it with you!

13 September 2014

It's Not Rocket Science

After returning home from 54 days away, I was talking with my sister on the phone & telling her of all my troubles. You know, the really BIG troubles. And, the words spewed out of my mouth: 
It's Not Rocket Science. You know, Jesus Loves the Simple Minded!
I was dealing with some really BIG troubles like...


* The LOML can't seem to figure out how to wipe up spilled coffee grounds each morning - yet he insists that EVERYONE rinse off the coffee stirring spoon before returning it to the coffee making area. And, he doesn't seem to know how to rinse out the sink after violently pouring out yesterday's coffee each morning.

* The counters are filled with items which have open spots waiting for them in the cabinet 24" above and empty cream containers & chip bags.

* I can't even walk through the sun room with all kinds of things on the floor - seed packets, sprouting containers, yard chemicals, hand-me-down clothes for the baby...

* The garbage can goes out on Sunday night for Monday morning pick up, sits by the roadside for a week & then comes back to the house the following Sunday night -- when it's brought in to fill & return to the roadside for the next morning's pick-up.

* If I were to walk around the house (in & out of bedrooms, bathrooms & more), I could probably collect over a dozen dirty items (and often partially full) such as coffee mugs & glasses -- not to mention bowls which had ice cream in them for someone's "midnight snack".

I went on to kid about how certain people in this house are... a... little...
slow... about helping out with the simple chores of a home. That's when I quipped, "I guess it's okay, Jesus loves the simple minded."  We both got a good laugh over what I'd said, and for those moments, it alleviated all the built up stress I'd piled on my shoulders about my petty frustrations. I quickly posted to Facebook:
"Working on a post for my stuckinindiana blog today... 'Jesus Loves the Simple Minded!'  I'll publish when I get the perfect picture. Shouldn't be long for that!"
Well, in this day & age, the words "simple minded" might be seen as derogatory. So, I decided to re-name this post something a little less offensive. I chose words that I've said way too many times to those I love... 


It's not rocket science!

I wish I could honestly go on to write about how I joyfully danced around the house - picking up mugs, glasses, bowls; wiping counters; cleaning sinks, etc. (I will save the piles-of-dirty-socks-by-someone's-side-of-the-bed story for another time.) In all truth though, I can only say that I laughed about it, felt better & moved on to my already-established To Do List for the day :/ 

I'm all about self-improvement (even though I don't always stick to that as closely as I should). But, what I NEED TO LEARN from all of this is to extend grace more often to those around me.  It's not like I'm anywhere near perfect either!! Oh, don't be fooled, I'm sure I'll continue to HELP my family members become better. But, I'm going to try to be better myself & extend grace more often!

2 comments:

  1. Hi StuckinIndiana,

    Wow, 54 days away? Phew, what's a long time. I bet it felt good to return.

    Grinning with you in understanding at your story. Behind me, one in my family works at dishes too. Argh, it's a mess. :) I think I'm simple-minded too, though.

    Welcome back!

    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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  2. Thanks Jennifer! House work is a neverending battle. But, I am thankful that I am blessed with a home!! I try to look over the mess most days to find something that makes me smile :)

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