Boy’s Bathroom

So, now that I have vented all my frustrations I have to say that the Lord is helping me with this. Yesterday, I went into the bathroom for likely the fourth time or more that day to straighten things up. Yes, I know that by doing this I am failing to train them. Yes, I know that I should call the culprit in and make him clean up his own mess. Let me say that it gets old. It is hard to figure out who exactly IS responsible for the latest whirlwind mess. So, I have to figure that out, find that person, listen to the moaning and go in after they have supposedly “picked up their stuff” to do it to my satisfaction anyway. So, I confess I often just go in and do it myself. Anyway, I went in and there was a new set of pajamas behind the door, hair of various kinds in various places, creams and gel and what not on the sink, toothpaste tube without its cap, (another one that makes me say: what is so hard about putting on the cap?) and no towels to be seen! BUT I actually laughed. Not only did I laugh, but I felt joyful inside. I thought of my messy sons and it made me smile. I heard literally within my brain the words: “Serve me cheerfully. Pick up your cross.” I did just that. I straightened it AGAIN. I put away clothes, I found and hung up all the towels, I did my best to rid the bathroom of its odor with another wipe down, and IT FELT GOOD!

See, the serenity prayer is so helpful in times like this. Recognize the things you can change and accept the things you cannot change. I think I have come to the conclusion that my sons are not going to maintain the main bathroom to my satisfaction. I will continue to train them as we go, to teach them, to give reminders, and on occasion implement consequences; but for the most part it is my pet peeve and I need to do it with joy and let it go! Let it go! Deep breaths mom. The joy of the Lord is your strength. They are gifts from the Lord. Certainly, I can perform this task cheerfully many times a day, day in and day out, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, for the next decade! Not a problem. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! Work as unto the Lord and not as unto men. My life is to be a living sacrifice.