Happy, Heart-Filled Home

You know the days that are so full to the brim of splendid?  I think I just experienced one of them.  Helping in both kid's classrooms, trekking to the doctors for a mysterious rash on a daughter, a play date/lunch with a friend who catered to our hungry tummies and opened her home to us. . .Not even the tantrum that followed when it was time to leave, cast a shadow of gray upon the stay.  She was fast asleep by the time we reached home. . and soon kids raced home to do homework and their Daily Ten list before they could go out and play. . .Overheard in the bathroom, as I actually sat in my sacred place with a book in hand, contemplating whether or not I would go to book club tonight:  "We might as well clean the shower while we are at it."  They happily, eagerly, helped this mama out and went above and beyond their "chore" list.  I felt so happy.

A brother stopped by to pick up the dogs that were visiting in the yard.  His visit was brief but he did help out the fourth grader with a rounding worksheet that I was getting frustrated over.  He saved the day.  God sent him at just the right time to intervene and my warm, happy, fuzzy feeling was not lost.  Did I mention an hour and a half wait at the doctors, or a temper tantrum by the three -year-old?

Dinner was simple: prepared while on the phone talking to my best friend, about our daily happenings.  Earlier that morning, I text her to let her know we had prayed for her daughter who was having teeth pulled that day.  A sweet text message followed and now we were checking in.  Two moms, two friends.  Blessed.  A dinner together, where we talked life and love and all things in between.  We focused on Way number 1:  Loving our Lord with whole hearted devotion.  Thank you Clay Clarkson for the plan--now I pray we really strive to implement it into our nightly routine.

Cookies were placed in the oven for dessert and I made the call to stay home: to inhale their loveliness, this peaceful space of home.  I praised God that even in the chaos of the day, I was constantly looking for the joy.  I kept it together, calm, cool, collected.  Focused and intentional.  All that remains tonight is a read aloud--we're aiming for two chapters while the kids inhale their fresh from the oven cookies.  I love today.  I love its simpleness. I love its splendor.  I love that I am here to live it with these people who matter most to me. 

Today was a very good day.