Six pairs of dirty socks.
Next to Tom's side of the bed lay six pairs of dirty socks.
As is obvious, he has a habit of taking off his socks before crawling into bed each night. Me, I wear my socks to bed.
On our first date, Tom invited me to his home and he made dinner for the two of us.
Shortly after my arrival, he showed me around his home. It was apparent he had cleaned his home; no dust to be found or fingerprints on the glass tables. When we went upstairs to the office, guest bedroom and master bedroom, again all was clean and tidy.
At first glance, from the doorway, his bedroom was meticulous. His bed was made, no clutter on his dresser, blanket neatly folded and laid ever so carefully at the end of the bed.
Upon entering his bedroom, what did I see? A pile of dirty socks beside the bed.
My side of the bed, the closet, my vanity, really any space that is “mine” is almost always clutter free, neat and organized.
All things have a place and I like them to be there.
I have to be honest though, I can keep an immaculate home, but my car on the other hand can get pretty messy. In fact, right now you can write your name in the dust on the dashboard.
As much as I love a clean home, I can live with the dust, it's the clutter that gets to me.
The dirty socks aren't the only place where Tom leaves his clutter. I won't go into the several pairs of shoes that are left on the entry way rug or the dirty clothes laying over the edge of the tub or the……… There are days when overlooking “his” clutter is easy and then there are days, when I am “in a mood” and then I have to have a talk with myself:
1. I can let it agitate and disturb me and leave the clutter there for him to pick up.
2. I can take care of it angrily and be sure to remind him of my deed.
3. I can demand He take care of it.
4. I can yell at him and tell him to change, or else.
5. I can accept it, take care of it with joy and move along.
I've tried all of these choices on for size. Truth be told, I can do one through four all at once. And the only person they hurt is me. When it comes down to it, this isn't about changing Tom, it's about changing me. I have a choice in my thoughts and in my actions.
So, today I choose number five. After all, I knew Tom left his dirty socks on the floor before I even married him.
John 14:27 ….Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.
