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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thursday Thought: Making A Home


She's crouched over this elaborate construction of her own design. Household odds and ends have been collected and organized in odd groupings. None of it makes much sense as I observe from where I am looking down from the treadmill as she plays beside me. I walk endlessly nowhere, huffing and puffing as I accelerate, accelerate, accelerate. She pauses, lingers, tinkers some more. We are a metaphor for our individual lives: me on fast forward, her on pause. I look down and wonder what I am racing for. She looks up at me and smiles.

"Do you like my house mommy?" she asks. "I made it." Her smile is proud. It is a house she has been making. From my perch just above her she gives me the bird's eye tour. This is the kitchen and this is the bedroom and way over here? This is the living room. "See mommy?" she asks. "Do you like my house?"

I assure her she has done a beautiful job, because she has. I love the creativity, the thought, the imagination that has gone into creating this house. I even love the borrowed GI Joe from her brother serving as the daddy of the family. Because, she says matter-of-factly, every house needs a daddy. And I think of the talking heads endlessly arguing over whether daddies are necessary. And I think maybe they should just ask a five year old. She'll answer their questions without spending thousands of dollars on research to prove what her simple heart is telling her. And then I think of my friend who lost the daddy in her house and how sad it is that some homes simply don't have one for whatever the reason.

We don't change much from five to forty, it occurs to me. Deep down I am still trying to make a home out of odds and ends, cobbling together a structure that meets my needs-- being creative at times when I can't do it the obvious way, taking what I have and hoping it will work.

I could've bought my daughter a "Dream Home" and it would've all been done for her. She wouldn't have had to make it herself. And yet, I think that would've cheated her out of the pride and perseverance that came with making this one instead. This one is all hers, it bears the mark of who she is and what she needs, specifically. I am making a home just like she is. From time to time I look up, smile and ask, do You like it?

And my Daddy looks down and answers, "Yes. You're doing a beautiful job." I let His words soak in as I turn back to what I was doing, ever intent on making the most out of what I have, grateful that somehow, it is always enough.
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13 comments:

Melissa Durham said...

I love reading your blog! I visit every day. It is part of my daily routine. This morning's post was just what I needed to read today...thank you. Thank you for your elegant words, sensitivity to follow His lead in writing it,and for being the voice of God to me today. I can't tell you how much I needed it.

Emily B (emleepc@yahoo.com) said...

It's such an encouragement to hear these words. What a great reminder to me to put effort inot making a home for my small family of two (my husband and me), because even though we are just two now, the basis of family begins here, and additions to that family come later. It is important to build that home and family step by step. Through effort, trials and perseverance, the home will stand the test of time.

Deanna said...

Beautiful post!!!

Danette said...

Thank you for reminding me about what is important.
Danette

Real Time Prayers said...

thank you

Bonita said...

Beautiful from start to finish, Marybeth! What a wise little girl you've raised.

I wish I felt like God looked down and was proud of the home I've created. I think he's happy with the way I've raised my children, but I always feel so inadequate with all things domestic that I don't feel proud and I can't imagine that He would either. Just keeping it real.

Unknown said...

Nice! I love the simplicity of the truth you shared. I needed to hear this today.
Keep up the God Work.

Wendy Bello said...

Just loved reading those words!

Unknown said...

Oh Marybeth, your blog brought tears to my eyes today. I am a single parent to 2 beautiful precious kids, working full time, going to school part-time, intent on making a home. With little extra money, it is cobbled together with bits of string and glue, hand-me-downs and thrift store purchases. Lately I have been feeling as if it isn't enough, that I need to do more but I simply don't have the time nor the resources to accomplish that. I do the very best I can, but have been feeling that I should do more. Your blog just reminded me that as long as I am doing my best and living in my Father's way, He will look down on me and tell me "You're doing a beautiful job". Thank you so much! May God bless you and yours!

Sheila

Zibilee said...

Oh Marybeth, you post was beautiful and touched me so deeply. You have such a gift in bringing the words of the spirit into other's lives. I hope my Father loves the home I have created as well.

Anonymous said...

Loved your post. Reminded me of the house I "built" for my family and how it is just right for us! Thank you.

Edwina said...

Hi Marybeth,

This post was so beautiful. You painted such a vivid picture of what most women want to do - make the structure we live in our unique home - stamped with our own creative signature - and one designed to please our Father. Thank you for this reminder.

Pam said...

What a beautiful post, Marybeth : )