I heard something the other morning on a Christian radio station while driving to work that both scared and reassured me.

A pastor stated that life is messy. Some of us travel through life thinking, if I could just get that job, that house, a husband, a wife, a promotion, things in life will straighten out. It's as if there is a destination milestone upon once we arrive, there will be no more problems.

I realized that is often how I think. Most days, I think, if I can just get super-organized, then tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, will be better. I find myself concentrating so much on that, that I catch myself not enjoying the day, even it if it is busy and disorganized.

Then the pastor said, "Life will be messy until the day you die."

Well, that was deflating.

Visions of a never-ending to-do list flashed in front of my eyes.

But it was also reassuring. The next thing the pastor said was that all we can do is do our best, and "depend on God's strength to pull us through."

It helped me to understand that God's purpose on my life isn't making sure the dishes are done, the laundry is folded and every detail is tucked in like a hospital corner. Life is messy for a reason. That is the fun and beauty of it. Of course it's more fun to let my son Cainan make a mess while exploring the kitchen cabinets, then it is to say, "No, get out of there!" or to try to keep him out. He's not hurting himself or anything else, and what a fun memory for both of us. It also helped me to understand that no one really has it together. And when I have a day where it's hard to see the beauty in the chaos that is my life, God's strength is there for me to stand on. All I have to say is, "Lord, I need a little help today," then go back to enjoying the task at hand.