Real Life, Part 2

This is a humbling post to write. I get embarrassed very easily. When we entertain, I kill myself to have a very clean home. I do like a clean house for a party but when I am having a close friend over to just visit, I still make sure everything is super tidy. It might mean that things are thrown in a closet or laundry room so that the house "appears" to be clean. Why? Do I think my best friends will think less of me if there is something out of place? No. Would I think less of them in a similar situation at their house?. No. So why do I stress? It's a pride issue that I am very aware of and working on.
I do believe that I am more drawn to people who are genuine and real. They share their struggles and concerns and don't get caught up in "appearances". They worry less about a messy house and more about helping others. These are the people I call my close friends. I hope I am the same kind of friend to them but there are times where I get so caught up in making it look like we have it all together. I have been so convicted that I am doing a disservice to my friends when I do this. I need to focus more on the ministry I have to my children, family, and friends and less on the material things. So here are the pictures I took a couple weeks ago. This is my house on a typical day. It is a coming out of sorts that my house is not always clean. It is never organized. It is REAL!! I have four children and not much energy to keep everything clean ALL the time. It is what it is: