13 Pictures You Won’t See in “Martha Stewart Living”

Sometimes I miss the days of toy-free floors. The days where I could leisurely walk my kitchen instead of dodging trucks and books, and I could meander the carpets without traversing trains and blocks.

If I’m being honest, sometimes I want those days back.

Sometimes I miss the days of cleanliness and beauty. The days where my counter tops had lit candles instead of a pile of half-finished stickered crafts, and my table was adorned with flowers instead of half-eaten littered crumbs.

If I’m being honest, sometimes I want those days back.

Sometimes I miss the days when my space was my own. The days where my living room looked like a living room instead of a playground, and my bathroom looked like a bathroom instead of a swimming pool.

If I’m being honest, sometimes I want those days back.

Sometimes I miss the days of organization and order. The days where things had a place instead of a pile, and my things had a container instead of a corner.

If I’m being honest, sometimes I want those days back.

But then there are most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little boy who is imagining and having fun in our home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little girl who wears these clothes and is finding stability in our home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little boy who keeps me smiling and is making memories in our home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little boy who is learning to play and finding adventures in our home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little boy who holds this blankie and is finding comfort in this home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little girl who wears these diapers and is finding safety in this home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little boy who is memorizing Scripture and is finding Hope in this home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little girl who eats these puffs and is finding nourishment in this home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little boy who is learning to create and is finding space in this home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little girl who drinks water from this cup and is finding care in this home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little boy who leaves these snacks and is finding provisions in this home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little boy who is learning to pretend and is finding love in this home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And most times when I find things like this, and I remember to say, “Thank you Lord for the little boy who leaves these toys and is making this his home…I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

And though there is nothing wrong with always having a neat and tidy house where beauty abounds and order is had, a house is just a house, and my heart wants more than that.

I want a fun, stable, safe, comfortable, nourishing, caring, providing, loving HOME where memories are made, space is used, adventures are had, and Hope is found.

Most times…that’s what I really want.