it's supposed to be near 100 degrees today with a heat index of a number i can't bring myself to type.  the air conditioner is running, and we find ourselves busy with laundry. i figure if i'm lolling about my living room watching my daughter create epic dinner parties around our coffee table i don't have much of an excuse not to wash the mountain of dirty clothes and linens this family of four dirties in what seems like split seconds. yes. and i've been using my excuses for the last week.

as much as i don't want to admit it, there is something enjoyable about the washing of clothes. i think it's the tangible satisfaction of a job well done, something hard to come by in a mama's life. so much of what we do (or anyone really) is not quantifiable. bravely, we just keep on going without words of encouragement or affirmation hoping we have done enough, that we are enough. it's a terrible fear that many of us try not to think about. it's too heavy a burden to bear, and it's not our burden to bear. we can only be faithful with what we've been given to do (not perfect at it: see the mountain of laundry above). just do it. one foot in front of the next asking for the grace and strength for this day. give us this day our daily bread. trusting that God is a safe place for all the people, tasks, dreams, and worries we are juggling. he is.

and one more thing, how about we take the time to acknowledge the faithfuls in our lives. that one who goes to work every morning and loyally gives his best, then comes home and takes the trash out, and listens, and sprays out the poopy diapers. or the one who speaks the truth when you've wallowed in the grime of lies and carries you in her prayers, or the one who brings you fresh-baked loaves of bread and summer brimming jam, or the one who picks you a bunch of dandelions from the yard and twirls with joy at every song, the one who makes dinner for you, who endeavors to pay the bills on time every month, the one who plans the dates, the one who mows the lawn, the one who keeps putting one foot in front of the other even when her children test her patience. i'm sure you will find, like me, there are all kinds of faithful scattered through your life.

now, if you'll excuse me, i have some laundry to fold.