Woke up this morning to ants in the kitchen. Not a ton, but just enough sugar ants around a bit of juice to change the course of my morning. After the Bleach Extravaganza and my dose of A-E (Angela’s encouragement…a friend who kept me positively focused through the ick of the ants), I took the kids out for lunch. I get the heebeegeebies around lots of insects. I’m not scared of them, but don’t want to cook right away.
When we got home, I decided that since I already had the momentum built, I might as well pull out the fridge and clean back there. Seriously, who wants to get to that project? Angela reminded me to lift wisely and stretch afterwards.
The boys were busy occupying their sister. I told them to play Fisher-Price Little People with her. Remember yesterday when I said boys are not girls. I’d like to repeat: boys are NOT girls!! Geez, louise…house for them included jumping, swinging from bunkbeds, and juggling. I tried to show them, but alas (and praise God) boys are not girls.
After breaking one of my favorite vases, I decided I just wanted to be done. I called my neighbor to make the decision if I stopped working or kept going. She answered the phone in tears. Now you know that’s God. I, a grown woman, called a grown woman to get her to make a decision for me. That’s just ridiculous! It was really just God using where I was to get my friend what she needed. And she needed someone to just let her cry and pray with her. So I did.
Then she told me to keep going.
So I pulled out the stove and started cleaning back there. Isn’t it amazing what can roll under a stove? I found 3 Hot Wheels cars, a spoon, and a stick of glue. Really? A stick of glue?! And at that moment, the miraculous happened: my husband walked through the door. He was about 2 hours earlier than expected. I absolutely LOVE when that happens!! He kept an eye on the kids so I could finish the cleaning project, which was lickety split with his presence.
A few ants could’ve ruined my day. Instead, it set it on a course that brought order to my kitchen; I’ve been putting off the deep cleaning for weeks. It gave me some quality time with my children and them quality playtime inside when it was crazy hot outside. It strengthened my friendships with the amazing people. And it taught me this: to go with the flow. The cleaning momentum carried this day to fun places.
As I continue to purge the house, organize my schedule, and prepare for the upcoming school year, I’m building momentum. I choose to go with the flow and see what amazing things God will do. I’m certain when I let Him into my schedule, he’ll find (and clean out) more than glue sticks and spoons. And I’ll be a better servant for Him because of the process!
Deep cleaning…good for the soul.
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