Soapbox time.
It has become an almost constant, undeniable certainty: where ever the Spencer clan goes, chaos ensues. Its inevitable. Not that my kids are "bad"... any one of them on their own would look and act no different than an only child. But altogether... it appears as chaos. (Sometimes I would even go so far as to say we frighten people.) But does this chaos bother me? No. I'm used to it. And hey, they're my kids, I even think its cute. So long as its friendly chaos. :)
Someone said to me not long ago when I mentioned that I was tired (and I don't think she said this with any ill intentions) to hang in there, that God is not a God of confusion but of peace and order. And something about it really got to me. Is it wrong? Is the insanity of all of my little children running around... not right? Doesn't it please Him to hear all their little voices? (Even if they are all talking at the same time assuming that the other ones are listening?) Doesn't He get a kick out of their antics and laughter? Their wrestling and rolling around?
Admittedly, they aren't perfect. Abby is 3. And acts it. Emily is 4. And works it. Micah... is Micah. I mean, I had to say to Nikki upon leaving her house after the super bowl, "I'm SO sorry my son threw a rocking chair down your stairs." Talk about swallowing your pride... But Micah didn't launch that thing down the steps because he's got a bunch of siblings... he launched it because it was in the way and he wanted to go downstairs!
I can't help but believe that the Father looks on our family in love... He loves these kids far more than I do. Each of them. Rather they were the only child or one of 19! I think He gets a kick out of our chaos. Its not the rhythm of every family for sure. But its our rhythm. Our children know that they are loved. They take security in that.
Each of our kids is a gift. FROM the Father. He gave them to Jake and I to raise and He is the one who gives us the strength and wisdom to raise them. There might be chaos in our rooms, but there's peace in our hearts. And isn't that whats important?
Friendly chaos is the very best kind! :) No doubt, you & Jake are wonderful parents. Please don't let others comments nip at your heart...I've allowed that for years and it's not worth it!
ReplyDeleteHaha, sometimes I think my kids are chaos, and I only have two :) I'm sure yours are no different than any others. Kids are kids. And I totally know what you mean about "Abby is 3." Amber is 3. 3 is by far my least favorite age for both of my kids. And just so you know, literally every single little boy that ever came over to my old house repeatedly threw things down the stairs. I used to laugh about it every time (probably only because it never damaged the wall at the bottom). It must be a boy thing! This too shall pass...at least they can't be 3 forever ;)
ReplyDeleteI sure think so!
ReplyDeleteYou have one beautiful family and as ours grows, the inevitable chaos ensuing (as it already does :), I take comfort in your example that God equips us to parent our many gifts from Him.
You know what... confusion is not the same thing as chaos. Chaos is something that happens on the OUTside; confusion is something that happens on the INside.
ReplyDeleteYour friend was probably attempting to encourage your inside, since what's going on around you is just plain inevitable. As long as peace is reigning over confusion in your heart, you are doing just fine.
Here's an interesting verse for thought: "He made the world to be LIVED IN, not to be a place of empty chaos"(Isa. 45:18b, NLT).
Girl, your "world" is so "lived in" right now!!! There's no way it could qualify as "empty chaos." It is FULL chaos... chaos w/ a purpose... chaos w/ a plan... chaos that translates to a joyful noise before the Lord.
I love you guys. Thanks so much for your encouraging words.
ReplyDeleteAnd Stephanie, I think next time I redo out family blog I'll call it
"Our 'lived in' world"!!! Love it. :)
You guys bless me.
Just from your blog from Renee's..love this post!!! We are a family of 4 kids and organized chaos is what I call it! Hang in there girl, they grow way too fast and you will miss some of the 3's and 4's stages as they get older!!! Blessings to you and your precious family!
ReplyDelete