There are so many things in this life I desire, extra money, clear skin, tons of energy, a spotless house, children that can teach themselves school, uncomplicated relationships. Alas, it may never happen. I may be forever stuck with the skin of a 13 year old. I may never have a house that is always company clean.
Sometimes I think I can sense when I will have unexpected visitors; like the other day. The house wasn't in terrible shape and about a half an hour of focused cleaning would have had it in great shape...but I didn't have the energy to clean up that morning. Instead I putzed around with my coffee, sorted through clothes and pushed aside dirty dishes. I did manage to get the front room swept and straightened. As a pastors wife, I always expect that I could get a visitor. and I want to have a least one clean space to receive any unexpected guest. I look to the example of pastors wives I have had in my adult years. I could aways drop in on them and they would be available with an inviting house, a coke and an open afternoon. Years ago I remember telling Larry that I wanted to be that woman. I haven't managed to get there. It seems like when I have unexpected guests, my house is a mess and I have no food in the house to offer them. That is always embarrassing for me. I don't know why. I don't expect others, except past pastors wives, to have a clean home. Actually, I feel really happy when they don't because I don't feel like the only mommy with a messy house. Sometimes I'm flattered that they feel close enough to me to let me in when the house isn't quite perfect.
Back to the other morning....I had my front room clean just in case. I had let my children take a break from their school work and sent them outside on an amazing day. I took advantage of the time alone and sat in my clean living room with a cup of coffee. Half way through the cup my older son comes in and tells me that there is someone at the back door. I'm thinking it is the UPS man. When I got to the back door, there stood a little old lady with big sunglasses. She was from our last church and her name slipped my mind. She asked, "you don't have time for me to visit, do you?" I'm thinking...SHE WENT TO THE WRONG DOOR! Now if I invite her in, she will have to climb a huge pile of laundry and pass the nasty dishes in the sink. I'm also wondering if I have brushed my teeth. I know my hair isn't combed, thank God for my covering.
Oh well, I push my pride and laundry aside and help this fragile woman up my flimsy stairs. I directed her into the clean living room and I was happy to be able to offer her a cup of coffee. She admired my rocking chair and told me how beautiful my children were. She told me how much she and her husband missed us and how the other church just wasn't the same. Then she shared some of herself with me; things she likes to collect and even past hurts. About an hour went by and she didn' t want to keep me any longer. I walked her back out through the nasty kitchen, that could have been cleaned if I hadn't wasted time, through the pile of clothes and back down those flimsy steps. We chatted a little more by her car and we said goodbye.
You know, that woman didn't care that I only have 60.00 in the bank until Larry's next pay. She wasn't disgusted by my pubescent skin. She complemented me on my smart beautiful children, and she even said I had a nice home. I know she appreciated that I took time just to sit and talk with her.....who needs energy when you have time to talk with a friend, a rocking chair and a cup of coffee.
Follow in His Ways and He will give you the desires of you heart.
Thank you.
ReplyDelete