There’s Water In My Basement, BUT…My Bathroom Baseboards Have Never Looked Better

I was supposed to write this blog earlier this afternoon and it had a COMPLETELY different theme. I had planned my day carefully; I had carved out just the right amount of time. Ryan was out of town, the kids were entertained and the house was clean. Perfect time…just as planned. I was going to write on physical rest and how it is so needed. I sat down, opened my computer, and (quite literally) all hell broke loose.

I had noticed ominous clouds gathering out the window and the wind pick up, but it wasn’t until my dad called to tell me to keep an eye on the weather, that I truly took stock of the storm building. Less than five minutes later, we got hit with one of the biggest storms I have ever witnessed. Water was screaming from the sky, coming down in sheets sideways and thunder was booming so loud, it shook the windows. Then, it started to hail. I screamed for the kids to go to the basement. And as I made my way behind them, I realized there was water pouring into four areas of the basement. I went upstairs to get buckets and towels, only to realize there were three more leaks on the main floor. And not just little leaks; leaks that were noticed solely by the sound of rushing water.

My quiet moment had become pure insanity…but I wasn’t surprised.

That’s not my life anymore…and I’m slowly coming to grips with it. At any given moment, my world looks like a massive thunderstorm with hail and water gushing in at unexpected areas. I use to joke about it, but it really is becoming a regular thing.

Ryan and I have both just accepted our reality. Blending a family can be a lot like battling a storm. There seems to always be unexpected news, delayed flights, sick kids, bad weather, bad attitudes, bad habits, tears, fits, words spoken in anger, oil and vinegar relationships, sleepless nights, exhaustion and so much more. We seem to have enough of everything except peace and quiet. Rest seems to never be within our grasp. But that is okay because we can rest in one very important thing.

Each day, when the thunder is booming and the wind is howling, I’m reminded of Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,

for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

I am not guaranteed peace, but I am guaranteed a God who sees the storm before I do. And He is faithful to be with me when I’m running into the eye of it.

There are some days my life looks perfect; there are some days I truly feel it is. But there are even more days that it looks like a hot mess of craziness. This new path has truly changed my perspective. My sister use to call my house “the museum” because nothing was out of place. Now I find myself cleaning the baseboards in my guest bathroom because that’s the only place I can think people might actually sit long enough to notice if they are clean. Past that…I can’t guarantee much. And you know what? It’s okay. There are bigger squalls than baseboards. And I thank God for showing me that.

I hope some of you can relate. My life is not unique. Whatever storm you are battling, just know God is in control. He sees you and will bring you through what this world and the enemy may throw at you, and there is always an end to the storm. God will always provide rest…an oasis…no matter how brief. As I finish typing this, I’m staring at the most beautiful sunset. My house is dry. The soaked towels are in the washer. The leaks are fixed (temporarily of course) and I will get up tomorrow and know that God has me covered…whatever comes my way. Put on your rain boots now, ladies, because it’s always coming…and that’s okay because rest comes in knowing God’s got this.