Letting it Go

I had two thoughts that popped into my head when I walked past Belle's messy room this morning. Well, maybe more than that. I first thought "how did that happen between the time that we tucked her in and when she got up this morning?!?" I took a big breath and thought...I will take a picture of that for my blog...and if I had a panoramic lens, you would really get to see the tornado's path.

I do this in order to encourage you to post an equally messy photo on your blog (for my fine blog readers who are also bloggers themselves). Otherwise, you can always send it to my gmail account. I think it could be funny and in a strange way encouraging. Encouraging, like, "there is nothing you are going through that others haven't"....just a thought.

Oh yeah, I was telling you my two thoughts about Belle's room. First, post it and encourage others to do the same. Second--and this is where the discipline and self-restraint come in--I have to learn to "let it go". *ouch*

Yup, for a controlling mum like myself, it is really all too easy to do one of two things. Either run in there and quickly restore some semblance of order, OR, and this is the side on which I err too often: I can yell "BELLE!!! Get in here and pick up this room!!! (Insert guilt-evoking mommy phrase here)!!!! (Ask rhetorical self-pitying question here--or OOOhhh--even better, a question about growing up in a barn)??"

I have to think that I am able to develop a third option. To just let it go; all the while keeping the 'big picture' of child rearing in mind. Is this cleanliness/orderliness character trait that I want to see in my daughters as big a deal as kindness, respect and love? Or obedience, faith or thankfulness? Because even though I feel exceedingly blessed to have such good girls who often are MY role models, I still should keep my eyes on developing more important fruit in their lives (with HUGE amounts of God's help, of course!). Also, I just don't want to yell. It's a drag (yes, it can feel good at the time, but then, O the guilt!), and it doesn't portray the mom or woman that I want to be.

So for now, Belle will be urged to keep several paths through her cluttered room clear for those who dare to venture in. If she can do that, I think I can deal. ;)