Everyone Needs A Little Crazy

Life is beautiful and, at times, messy. Then there's just down right crazy. We have days that feel practically perfect even though they're laced with a few obstacles. We have days that feel horrendous, even though looking back it was only a 30 minute window of agony that seemed to last all day.

Parenthood is a lot like sports. I know I've written about The Momlympics and my hand at The Juggling Act, but this is on a broader scale.

I had the great honor of winning a lot of high caliber competitions during my diving heyday. I also lost a whole lot more than I ever won.

"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
-Michael Jordan

During training and competitions, sometimes you're "on" and sometimes you're "off." Sometimes you stand at the top of the podium and feel complete. Sometimes you walk off the deck defeated in every way.

But I am so thankful for those heartbreaking losses. I'm thankful for the frustration. I'm thankful for being sidelined with injuries. Because each one of those things taught me something.

After a tough loss, the next time I won, I knew how the person whose head was hanging low felt. I learned how to be humble and gentle to my competitors who became my friends.

When I got frustrated and angry, it spurred me on to work harder and try new things that I may have been too stubborn to try before.

When I had injuries, I was forced to think outside the box and be more focused mentally than ever before.

Parenting really isn't any different, it just feels a little crazier from time to time.

There are tantrums... in public... times three children. There are bloody boo-boos. There are potty accidents at friends' houses. There are days with complete nap failure. There is a two year old that will accidentally drink the baby's bottle. There are emergency root canals for mom. There is no rest for the weary.

But I'm learning to be thankful for our little bit of crazy. It makes me appreciate our good days. It makes me praise the pants off my girls when they are well behaved. It floods my heart with warmth when they think my kisses make everything better. It allows me to be encouraged by sweet friends who share their potty training stories so I know I'm not alone. It makes me giddy when I have an hour to myself because they are all sleeping, and I can write this blog. It teaches me that my kids can roll with the crazy punches of life and shows me that my kids look out for and protect each other. It teaches me that my true rest and peace is in Christ and not in a good night's sleep.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
- Matthew 11:28

The crazy moments of life are hard, but they are just moments that will soon be memories. Everyone needs a little crazy to appreciate the beautiful mess of life.