What were we talking
about?
The impression of
me. Right.
So I have a bunch of
pointless exclamatory phrases I use on a regular basis. I recently adopted
"Sweet Fancy Moses!" from Glennon Doyle Melton, but long before that
one entered my vocabulary I've been known to have the following fly out of my mouth:
"Oh
Mylanta!" - It's crucial to pronounce this one with a significant
Midwestern accent. It's all in the nose. My-lain-tuh.
"For the
Love!" - Used best when something is discovered that is so obviously
stupid or frustrating that finding the appropriate words is too difficult.
Instead, in true Hatmaker-style, I go with this one. It allows natural sarcasm
to shine as the star, which I appreciate.
"Holy
Hannah!" - I have no idea who Hannah is or why making an exclamation about
her holiness is appropriate when someone comes around the corner unexpectedly
and makes me jump out of my shoes, but I still say it all the time.
"Holy ________
Batman!" - Insert whatever surprising thing you would like in the blank.
Shrimp, Margaritas, Traffic, Mullet, Dust-bunny, etc. Nothing like using your
inner Robin to proclaim something to be incredible to your superhero buddy to give
it emphasis.
My friend busted out
a whole string of these, complete with my mannerisms, tone of voice, and
Wisconsin accent. It was epic.
Obviously, there are
whole lot of other phrases that, if we are really being honest, will sometimes
come out of my mouth that involve the word "Holy" followed by another word that isn't always quite as complimentary. Why do we do that? At some
point, I think we have all heard the phrase "Holier than Thou" and
used it to describe someone who is puffed up, prideful, and feeling a bit too
superior and perfect for their own good.
Holy.
It's a loaded word.
In 1 Peter 1:14-16,
we get some pretty clear instructions about how we are to live our lives in
Christ.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the
passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also
be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am
holy."
Know what I think? I
think motherhood helps make us holy.
When we are entrusted with the life of
another human being who is fully dependent on us, we become acutely aware of
our shortcomings and inadequacies. I don’t know about you, but when I was
standing in the exam room with my son while the doctor described how he had a
super-nasty double ear infection that must have been causing him severe pain
for several days, I didn't exactly feel "holy" as I was recalling the
numerous times I had told that kid that he was just fine and to stop wailing
about it.
To be holy is to be
set apart or separate. Achieving holiness involves sanctification - a refining
process that uses extreme conditions or stress to cause impurities and
faults to be brought to the surface so they can be removed, leaving behind something
just a little more pure than before.
When I am standing
in the kitchen and the anxiety is pressing in on me like a vice and the boys
are yelling at one another over Pokemon cards and the dishes aren't done and
there's supper to be made and my family is hurt because I don't call enough and
then one kid hits another kid so I snap and yell so now all three are crying
and I stop and really look around.
My busyness and
selfishness.
My pride.
Anger and
impatience.
The need for
control.
All rising to the
surface and put on display for everyone to see.
But it's those
purposeful steps down the hall, the gentle opening of the door, the open arms
that draw them in for a hug. It's my voice through the tears that whispers
"I'm sorry" and asks for forgiveness. That's where it is. That moment
when the great Refiner skims away that layer that had risen to the surface,
leaving behind something just a bit more pure.
Holiness isn't about being better than someone else, doing more "good deeds," or walking a straighter line.
It's when we
recognize our desperate need for a Savior that holiness even becomes possible because,
heaven help us, we are absolutely LOST on our own. I don't know how it is in
your house, but my kids remind me of that fact every single day. They test my
patience, push boundaries, challenge my faith and force me to be courageous.
They push me toward
holiness because they are constantly pushing me closer to Jesus.
And hopefully, by
faith, the next time all bedlam breaks loose and the battle over the red Popsicle
or whose turn it is to pick the show on Netflix is raging around me, I can find
just a little more peace and patience than the last time around.
It is a slow and
imperfect process, but God has never really been one for being in much of a
hurry.
And that's how I write about peeing my pants and holiness in the same post.
*drops mic*
This
post was inspired by Kayla Aimee’s new book, Anchored: Finding Hope in the
Unexpected. Order your copy of #AnchoredHope today and receive this printable
as a free gift by clicking here!
