Loving the Mess Nancy Dunn Brown, Senior Director of Service http://www.mops.org/ The highchair was sticky with unidentified spots of something resembling dinner recently completed. The mat underneath had unsuccessfully caught the remnants of food "accidentally" dropped from the side of the tray.
Our young family was seated at the table, husband and wife, preschooler and toddler. My husband, Gary, so kindly insisted he take the seat by the highchair for each meal. Dinner was a special event in our home, a daily ritual set aside to enjoy one another and reconnect after a scattered day. This was my time to try to enjoy a meal without having to care for the children. Gary mopped up the floor, the chair and ultimately wiped down our sticky toddler, Kristen. Then he exclaimed with a sigh, "At least we're almost out of this phase."
I looked around our little table, Daddy cleaning, preschooler Alyssa smiling, and toddler Kristen gleefully throwing food on the floor. Gently I called my husband's name.
Our eyes locked and I smiled gesturing to my growing belly, an anticipation of new life. We laughed together realizing the sticky chair would once again be occupied. Another child was coming; another season of gooey mess to clean after a family meal. Something special was taking place. With our arms wrapped closely around each other we shared the blessing of a family dinner at the Brown house.
Prayer From a Mother's Heart Dear God, help your love to flow from me to every pair of sticky hands and precious hearts in my home.
