Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

As a homeschool family, we are in our house 24/7, 365. My boys are very creative. Their creativity in my eyes is spelled M-E-S-S!!!!! It seems one mess is picked up and another one is "invented." This week my sons have invented a motorcycle rider complete with a real motorcycle hemelt and a "body" made of books and toys. It drives me crazy because it is in the middle of Jordan's room and we all have to step around it to get out the back door to the yard. As if that wasn't enough, today it grew arms--hangers, my hangers. We have floor check nightly and the boys get paid $1 a week for keeping their floors picked up. However, "creations" are not mess and all around the "creation" is clean. What's a mother to do???

Now keep in mind that's just one mess. Yesterday, Jordan became interested in an old mill that was operated by an enormous waterwheel. So interested was he that he built one in my living room--with his father's permission---and also built a bakery to go with it. . . in the corner of my living room. Since Wednesday is my "stress" day due to AWANA, I came close to a meltdown. . . well, let's admit it, I had a meltdown. I demanded it picked up by bedtime, then changed my mind and demanded it be picked up before we left for church. And, it was picked up. . .Jordan is a tremendouse picker-up. He gets all the credit. He's fast and thorough.

But, after church, my children received another brainy idea. While watching "MythBusters" for only ten minutes, my kids decided to pile up the covers and pillows on our loveseat and "pretend" to dive into "syrup." Yeah. . .

Today, the focus for Jordan has been creating a rocket ship out of 50 tiny, little cups. For Landon, the focus has been creating a submarine out of about 24 tiny, little cups with toy propellers on the back and tape---lots of tape. The child is tape-crazy is you ask me.

Trying to take all this in stride, I am reminded of the missionary Nate Saint. His mother never discouraged any of her seven kids from their "inventiveness." In fact, she often helped them to make their inventions. If you've ever read about Nate you know that he grew up to become a very inventive and resourceful bush pilot in Ecuador. His resourcefulness most assuredly had been fostered by a mother who took a deep breath and dived right into the madness of messes. In other words, she didn't sweat the small stuff.

Messes will come and go. As a mom of two "inventors", I need to foster the "stuff" that will make my boys problem solvers. I never know what the Master has in store for my little dudes. It could one day help to reach others with the gospel of Christ.