I told my friend once, "I will be offended if your house is spotless when I come over." I told her that I hope I am the kind of friend you feel comfortable enough with to allow me to see your dirty house. I didn't want her rushing around cleaning before I came. Then the other day I heard this phrase on a radio program I was listening too. "Sometimes we need to give each other the gift of mediocrity."
The truth is when we go in someone's gorgeous and spotless house, there is almost a shameful "Oh no, she is one of those Good Housekeeping women" kind of feeling. But when I go into a home that has more of a "lived in" look, I take a relaxing deep breath and think, "OK so I'm not the only imperfect one."
Also, it hinders us from inviting people over if we think the house has be overhauled first. Community is one of God's greatest gifts to us and if we have a hinderance from opening our home to others, we are in many ways limiting that gift.
I'm not saying we should live in a pig stie. And I'm not saying we should never clean up for company. But, that mad dash to mop the kitchen floor and dust the coffee table is just not necessary. Give your friends the gift of mediocrity.
12 years ago
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3 comments:
I listened to this same message. It really helped to give me some freedom in this area. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for writing this! It is just what I needed to read. There is such freedom in allowing others to see who we really are... even when it includes the kids running around with no clothes on, dishes in the sink, and the den looking like Toys R Us exploded- LOL :)! This is for sure something I need to pray about and work on :).
Great post-I needed that too! Okay-you are making us look bad with all these posts. Give us the gift of mediocrity and only post like once a week! Just kidding-keep them coming. Love it and I'll catch up soon-Lela
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