Blessed Mess

Things were probably neat and tidy in the creation before the fall.  Since then, almost everything neat has two impacts upon us- orderly and boring.  Trust me; I'm a neat person and appreciate things being in the right place and in good order.  There is nothing wrong with orderly.  But, after years and years of living, I have found that the most memorable, impactful, shaping, faith-building and challenging experiences have had a measure of mess about them.  The reason they have shaped me is because they have had some chaos that needed to be somehow understood or lived through.  They involve awkward embarrassment that has put my pride into place, arriving at the wrong place only to find a fortuitous meeting with a long lost friend or uncontrollable and crowded meetings with too many people that have served as unforgettable illustrations of the impact of friends and friendship. 

We have children and grandchildren.  Every significant memory has something a little messy in them.  My most blessed times highlight God's control in the midst of my lack of control.  My greatest blessings have come when I'm cleaning up and thinking about the precious activities that produced the mess I am cleaning. 

I aim for neat and orderly and gladly accept the blessed mess. 

Comments

[a tito clemente, jr]

Amen Bishop Matt!

[Daleasha]

I appreciate this reminder... Sometimes I get so anxious when things are not all together...and yet it is in the mess that I notice God's presence most. Thanks!

[Mark Adams]

Ministry is like finger painting.. Fun, beautiful, active and messy...

[Patricia Weatherford]

Love your comments about how the messes in life are often the most impactful lessons God offers us. As one who has taken part in a specific ministry to children for 18 years I find myself needing to step down and change gears. Being 70 years old, I am grateful to retire, but did not realize how "messy" life gets when one does not have "the need" dictating the daily schedule. What to do with me? What use am I to my God now? Who am I? I still struggle with these, but, your words remind me to seek Him out everyday and pray for His guidance in how He might use me today. Thanks for your wisdom. Pat Weatherford, FMC Santa Barbara.