Messy learning...

Then it happened.  I had worked for hours cooking this evening.  As I tried to place the food in the fridge, one of the containers broke.  My first response was to catch the opened container, which was full of  hot contents.  I had a choice...drop the container onto the floor, losing the food I had worked on for so long....or burn my hand.  The results included some food spilled in the fridge and onto the floor...and a slightly burned hand.  While I began feeling frustrated for allowing this to happen, our son came into the kitchen and cleaned up the mess.  Completely.  He never complained. Not once.  He cleaned up the fridge and floor quietly, efficiently and lovingly.  

I began thinking. I certainly have made other messes in my lifetime.  Some were unintentional.  Some were careless.  Some were unavoidable.  Some were naive.  Some were immature.  Some were results of being blindsided.  Yet whatever the reason, they were messes.  

I am grateful for the One Who still loves me in the middle of my life messes.  He picks me up, cleans me off and continues to claim me as His child.  Quietly.  Efficiently.  Lovingly.  I certainly try to learn from the messes but I inevitably walk into more as my journey continues.  Yet He forgives me and holds me...anyway.  I am amazed.  I am grateful.  I am never alone.<3~thl