Lisa Notes: I don’t like messes

I don’t like messes

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Romans 7:18

She was a messy one. Wild stringy hair. Dirty, ill-fitting coat.

One of the needy ones.

On Thursday she said she needed condiments for her coffee. She said she’d had trouble breathing at night, and this would help her.

I said I’d look, but she insisted on showing me where. Together we went to the back of the warehouse.

I don’t like messes.

I was the mom who had designated place mats for use with play-doh. I preferred glitter to stay outside (if you send me a glittery Christmas card, I read it gratefully, but have to throw it away immediately afterwards). I had one bin for Barbie clothes; a separate bin for doll clothes.

But the problem is...

I am a mess.

Just ask my family.

I can be moody when I feel left out about a bicycle gift. I can get angry when math problem # 7 doesn’t work out. I can indulge in Hershey’s chocolate and a Dr. Pepper (maybe not even diet!) when I’m throwing a private pity party.

I don’t like messes.

So when the messy woman and I found the packets of creamer and sugar she needed, she wanted to show me her appreciation.

With a hug.
A big, messy, straight-off-the-streets hug. Ummm…

Which one of us is the messy woman?

What could I do? I hugged her back, thanks to the grace of God in the moment. I told her I’m glad I could help.

Two messy women.
Both in need of help.

Both receiving it.
To breathe better.
She—with sugar for her coffee.
Me—with grace for my prejudice.

I thank God for loving the needy ones.
For loving messes.
Every one of us.

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 7:24-25

* * *

Logging you in...

Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout

Logged in as

0 Vote up Vote down

Dianna · 704 weeks ago

Oh, Lisa, I have to send you an e-mail later today...but I just want you to know here and now that God is using you to cut to the quick with a work He is doing in me. Love you.

1 reply · active 704 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Lisa notes 103p · 704 weeks ago

I'll look forward to hearing from you, Dianna. I'm glad God is working on us together. Love you too.

0 Vote up Vote down

Rebecca · 704 weeks ago

Loved and needed this! I remember having to drink tea/coffee for asthma while I was pregnant because I couldn't take meds. It's sad to think that she's doing it because she can't afford the meds. I'll put that to prayer for her.
My recent post Staying Out of (Time) Debt

1 reply · active 704 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Lisa notes 103p · 704 weeks ago

What a blessing that you will be praying for this woman. That's yet another reason that I love blog friendships because people who might never meet otherwise can still be lifted up to the Father. Thanks, Rebecca.

0 Vote up Vote down

brian · 704 weeks ago

nice...i love mess...and messy people...i can guarantee you will remember that hug far longer than many others...smiles. we all are a beautiful mess...
My recent post god of this city

1 reply · active 704 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Lisa notes 103p · 704 weeks ago

You are such a good example, Brian, of loving messy people. You're one that I look to for that. It doesn't come as easily for me, but with God's grace, I'm getting my hands dirtier these days.

0 Vote up Vote down

Pia · 704 weeks ago

i was a mess myself a few years back, BUT God! He's a fixer. thank God! =)
My recent post TSMSS - Jesus, What A Beautiful Name

1 reply · active 704 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Lisa notes 103p · 704 weeks ago

That's a good way to put it, Pia. He is a fixer. I'm glad he knows just what to do with our messes and how to clean us up.

0 Vote up Vote down

Trisha · 704 weeks ago

And what a blessing both of you were to each other! Praise God He saved a wretch like me!
My recent post The View from Telluride and Why You Should Savor Every Moment

1 reply · active 704 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Lisa notes 103p · 704 weeks ago

So true, Trisha. He is so gracious to seek out the wretches; so glad he's in charge and not me! I'd probably throw my hands in the air and walk away. But not God!

+1 Vote up Vote down

bluecottonmemory 55p · 704 weeks ago

No glittery Christmas cards? I love the glitter - but that's not my mess-hang-up. I have different "mess" hang-ups. However - just this last week, my husband and I were talking about a situation - and I had a revelation. Hearts connect when individual brokenness is recognized - and knowing what God does with that brokenness. It humbles and in that humbleness, it hugs like you did - and that's how lives are changed.

1 reply · active 704 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Lisa notes 103p · 704 weeks ago

Thanks for your sharing your insight. You're so right--our broken spots are magnetized to others' broken spots, and we connect there. That has happened time and time again with me.

0 Vote up Vote down

tinuviel · 704 weeks ago

Yes, all ragamuffins
My recent post Midnight Cry

+1 Vote up Vote down

Barbara H. 65p · 704 weeks ago

Great post -- we are truly messes in some way or another.
My recent post What’s On Your Nighstand: October

0 Vote up Vote down

happygirl · 704 weeks ago

I know if it were me it would be God's Grace permitting me to hug. Why am I so difficult to convince of my place in the kingdom?

0 Vote up Vote down

imperfect prose · 704 weeks ago

i love how God is always in the mess.
i love how you let yourself get messy.

and i've started eating a bit of dark chocolate each day, because i agree: chocolate helps with it all. love you.

0 Vote up Vote down

Old Ollie · 704 weeks ago

I callmy mess(es) entropy...gotta fight that fight.

0 Vote up Vote down

Lindsey van Niekerk · 704 weeks ago

Oh this is beautiful...reminds me of a lesson God taught me on a ministry trip on the streets of LA...but that is a different story...thank you for putting grace in SUCH a REAL way!!

1 reply · active 704 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Lisa notes 103p · 704 weeks ago

I'd love to hear that story sometimes, Lindsey. If you have a link, send it to me. I imagine you have much to share from your travels and ministry in so many settings.

0 Vote up Vote down

Julie · 704 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing...blessings back at ya! xo
My recent post Trusting God...Feathering a Nest....and HUGS.

0 Vote up Vote down

Messy Marriage · 704 weeks ago

My small group just went to a nursing home to give some little gifts to the residents there. Unfortunately, I had some of your same thoughts, but once I started to talk to these "messy people," they drew me right in with their sweet helplessness!

So glad that we can remember that we are "messy" too! It brightens the heart!
My recent post Blinded by Boundaries

0 Vote up Vote down

Caroline · 704 weeks ago

I thought about those Romans 7 verses again as I wrote about grace, too.

What a great contrast here, Lisa. I love this: "I thank God for loving the needy ones.
For loving messes.
Every one of us."

Beautiful grace!
My recent post Ever-Present Grace

+1 Vote up Vote down

Jeri Taira 59p · 704 weeks ago

Lisa, your story and verse are wonderful. I'm a mess right there with you. And, I can't stand messes either...lol. Learning to have grace and practice even more now that we have a grandson. Working so far!

Your words always bless me. Today, made me smile.
My recent post Refreshing Day 27 ~ They Shower Me with Grace

0 Vote up Vote down

Jennifer · 704 weeks ago

Lisa, I love your honesty! You're not hiding your mess, but instead, acknowledging your mess while you reach into others' messes. It's beautiful and a challenge for this mess!

0 Vote up Vote down

Debbie · 704 weeks ago

Ah Lisa, I loved reading this post. Life isn't always neat and tidy even though we hope that it will be. I love your honesty. I always tried to be neat and tidy but I was a mess in many ways.

I only now linked up with Bonnie for this Faith Barista Jam. Better late than never, right? But all's grace.

Blessings and love,
Debbie
My recent post It's All Grace

0 Vote up Vote down

Sharon · 703 weeks ago

Just want you to know your blog posts are always such a blessing to me. God bless you!

Sharon

1 reply · active 703 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

Lisa notes 103p · 703 weeks ago

Thank you for the encouragement, Sharon. I love how God can use our stories (that sometimes I'm reluctant to share) to help each other. His ways are higher than our ways, for sure. May he bless you too.
My recent post A day in November