Family Updates

Bigger Picture Moment ~ The Lint Fairy

Welcome to Bigger Picture Moments, a place where we step back and take in life. There are moments where we're so caught up in it all, the hectic mind boggling pace of the day. We encourage you to take this opportunity to take a moment and view the Bigger Picture. Whatever that means to you. A moment where you recognized the role your faith plays in your every day life. A moment where you take note of motherhood and the importance of what you are doing. A moment that made you stop and breathe in the bigness of it all. The hugeness that is life and the small moments adding up to one Bigger Picture.

We hope you'll join us. Take a few moments. Think about your week, and pour however little or much onto a page. Then share. Tell us your moment. Link up below, grab our button, and share your Bigger Picture Moment. And while you're at it, share the love and check out at least one other participant's moment. Please remember to use the link that will take us directly to your BPM post, and link back to us within your post or your link will be deleted.

Next week, Sarah will be hosting Bigger Picture Moments. Keep an open mind and heart throughout the week and come back to participate again or for the first time! All are welcome!

Bigger Picture Moment

Like millions of other mothers, most days I do laundry. Load after load. Grown up clothes, kids clothes, diapers, sheets, towels. Load after load.

Our laundry nook is off of the kitchen. A tiny closed off area just big enough to turn around between a washer and dryer. Above the appliances you'll find tool boxes, cleaning supplies, batteries and nuts and bolts. It's our garage. Apartment style.

After each load is finished tumbling and turning I lean down with a laundry hamper, and empty the lint trap. With one swipe of the hand it's cleaned, and I deposit the purple, red, or blue tinted fluffy piece of lint on to the top of the dryer. Then I load the warm, dry towels or jeans or diapers into the hamper. Close the dryer door and walk away, off to fold and put away.

On a good day I'll have unloaded the dryer three or four times. Different colored fluff sheets line the top of the dryer. And by the next day, they're gone.

The lint fairy always shows up. Not even a trace of the days trappings. Not a mention, a note, or a why didn't you put these in the trash yourself?

My husband is the lint fairy. We talked about it once, like I once mentioned the oatmeal bowl and coffee cup left in the sink every morning. When the dishwasher is empty, waiting to be filled.

It's a little sign of devotion. A little sign of love. And when I notice that the lint fairy came, I smile. Remembering him. And when I put away his dishes every morning, I smile. Remembering him.

Our home is built on these little happenings, unspoken chores and marital duties assumed. They make up the bigger picture of our marriage. A marriage that is based not on check lists and keeping score, but on doing what we need to do in order to honor each other and to make our home and our lives work. Together. The little things that we can do to make it seem effortless at times.

And those times are so needed when it doesn't seem effortless.

Each morning, moments after Lucas leaves for work, I find myself at the kitchen sink. Smiling at the dirty blue ceramic bowl, and a coffee cup that still has an inch of now not so freshly brewed liquid. And with a single movement the dishes are in the dishwasher, leaving my heart warm.

**Link up your Bigger Picture Moment below! Please make sure to use the link that will take us directly to your BPM post, linking back to us within your post, or your link will be deleted.