I used to believe in a dream. The Lysol-glossed, Instagrammable kind. You know the one: the house smells like lemon and virtue, the laundry is folded into neat stacks, and nobody—not even the dog—leaves crumbs behind.
I had a vision. I was going to be that woman: cheerful, apron-clad, humming worship songs while scrubbing grout like it was a spiritual discipline. My home would be a sanctuary. A place where others felt the peace of Jesus—and also admired my gleaming baseboards.
Then I had children. And a husband. And a life.
Reality hit fast, and it hit sticky. (And occasionally smells like Axe body spray mixed with old banana peels.)
Let me give you a recent example: I spent 45 minutes cleaning the living room the other day. Vacuumed, dusted, even lit a candle called “Peaceful Meadow” that honestly smelled like dryer sheets and blind optimism. I stepped away to rotate the laundry and came back to: two kids sprawled across the couch mid-history lesson, open textbooks like landmines, a science experiment leaking glitter glue onto the floor, and someone (still unconfessed) eating cereal straight out of the mixing bowl with the audacity to leave the spoon on the couch.
It wasn’t the sanctuary I envisioned. It looked more like a parable gone wrong.
But here’s the thing: somewhere in the middle of the mess and moments—I’m learning that grace lives here, too.
Mama, if your house looks more like a parable gone wrong than a Pinterest board, you’re in good company. Share this with a friend who needs a grace-filled laugh today.
1. God’s Not Grading My Housekeeping
There are days I whisper prayers over mountains of laundry like, “Lord, multiply the matching socks.” But God isn’t checking for fingerprints on my windows. He’s not keeping track of dust bunnies in the corners. He’s looking for faithfulness—not flawlessness.
A home full of love (and maybe a little bit of peanut butter on the cabinet handle) is still holy ground.
2. I’m Not Martha—And That’s Okay
I understand Martha. She wanted everything just right for Jesus. But He reminded her that what He truly wanted was her. Not a perfect meal. Not a spotless home. Just her presence.
That hits me every time. Because sometimes, the most spiritual thing I can do is sit down—right in the middle of the chaos—and just be with my people. And with Him.
3. My Kids Need My Attention More Than a Polished Lesson Plan
When I’m gone someday, my kids won’t say, “Wow, Mom really crushed that grammar curriculum.” They’ll remember how we got the giggles during devotions, the board games on rainy afternoons, and the way we turned burnt waffles into a life science lesson on “chemical reactions gone wrong.”
That’s the stuff that builds a childhood. That’s the stuff that lingers into legacy.
4. Grace Means I Don’t Have to Do It All—Or Do It Alone
Grace isn’t a gold star for moms who get everything right. It’s the quiet invitation to rest—even when the dishes are still in the sink. Even when the house looks like a homeschool tornado rolled through.
Grace says, “You are loved, even here.” It helps me laugh instead of lash out. It reminds me that Jesus isn’t impressed by productivity. He’s moved by dependence.
So, here’s what I’m learning (slowly, and usually while tripping over a stack of library books): the house doesn’t have to be spotless for it to be sacred. The curriculum can wait. The to-do list can pause. But grace? Grace needs to be received now—and offered freely: to my kids, my husband, and yes, even to myself.
Today, my couch still has that mystery stain. The table is covered in half-finished projects and coffee rings. But my heart is full. And somehow, Jesus shows up right in the middle of it all.
So, I’ll light that candle again—not to impress anyone, but as a reminder: this loud, cluttered, grace-soaked life? It still smells a little like heaven.
✨ Devotional: Grace in the Middle of the Mess
Scripture:
“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’”
—Luke 10:41–42
💬 Reflect:
- In what ways do I sometimes believe my worth is tied to how clean or productive my home is?
- What does “choosing the good portion” look like in my current season of homeschooling and parenting?
- Where do I need to receive grace today? Where do I need to extend it?
🙏 Pray:
Lord, thank You that You meet me in the middle of the mess. Not just when the counters are clear or the schedule runs smoothly—but even when I feel behind, overwhelmed, and undone. Help me choose the better portion today: presence over perfection, grace over performance. Thank You that You care more about hearts than housekeeping. Amen.