Moms: Let Them Make an Inconvenient Mess

​I asked my daughter, Adeline, to help me make a pie crust this afternoon in preparation for Thanksgiving tomorrow.  Lincoln was out with Tim, and Isla was napping, setting the perfect stage for some quality one-on-one time. I'd rather have purchased a premade one and called it good, but one of our kids is on a gluten-free diet, so Mama's makin' it from scratch.

​If you've done any gluten-free baking you know the consistency is often very crumbly.  This pie was no different. We successfully gathered the crumbly mixture into two balls to freeze. Near the bottom of the bowl, I thought, We should have a pie crust fight. My mom-brain kicked in No, that's going to be so messy and then I'll have to clean it up.   The Holy Spirit replied, "This is something she'll remember." I obeyed, suggesting we have a pie crust fight. You would have thought I told her we were hopping on a surprise flight to Disneyworld. Her eyes lit up with sheer glee. Thus began the pie crust fight! We spent five minutes throwing pie crust at each other and giggling. It was so much simple fun and definitely worth the five minutes it took me to vacuum. Yes, I'll probably be stepping on pie pieces and finding random clumps who-knows-where for the next week, but the happy memory was worth the inconvenient mess.  

​Holiday preparations are stressful for most of us. While you're trying to meticulously clean, the kids are right behind you making their mark. While you're attempting to prep all the food, the kids need a snack (and make another mess). While you're trying to set the table, they're playing with all the pretty that decorates it. While you're trying to make the children look presentable, someone pees their pants, refuses to get dressed or smears applesauce all over their fancy outfit. It's just how it goes. Let's plan for these "unexpected" occurrences on Thanksgiving, and embrace the crazy. Let's not worry so much about the picture-perfect home, meal, or family, but instead, have FUN. The inconvenient and unexpected mess is just the ticket. 

May your Thanksgiving abound with gratitude and generosity (and messy fun!) 
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“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 
2 Corinthians 9:11