A few weeks ago, I was driving through the neighborhood where I grew up and decided to stop past my childhood home. Although the house is no longer standing, you can see THE ALLEY when you look across the empty lot. With a smile on my face, I pulled out my phone and took a few pictures. I have so many childhood memories that include this street and that ALLEY.
Later, that day, my youngest daughter was looking through my phone and came across the pictures of the ALLEY. With a frown on her face, she said, “What is this a picture of? Where is this? Look at the writing on the buildings. Look at all that garbage!” I said to her, “this is the ALLEY in the back of the house where I grew up. This is where I played every day as a child. I have so many awesome memories in this ALLEY.” She looked at me and said, “That ALLEY is a MESS.” And walked away.
I was so disappointed that she couldn’t see the value in the ALLEY
She couldn’t see the baseball field with Billy, my brother, pitching. She couldn’t see me on second base and my brother, Joshua, up at bat. She couldn’t see all the neighborhood kids playing “release the den” and “it tag” in the ALLEY. She couldn’t see beyond the MESS.
The truth is … The ALLEY has always been a little messy. There’s always been writing on the buildings. There’s always been a little garbage here and there
But the ALLEY was the place where everyone met. Where everyone gathered. Where all the fun happened. I didn’t understand why she couldn’t see this.
And then I remembered… She’s only four years-old
She doesn’t know there are a lot of “MESSY” places and “MESSY” moments in life. She doesn’t know that “MESS” builds character, endurance and strength. That “MESS” creates context, teaches, and gives clarity. That it humbles, centers, and grounds.
The truth is… I wouldn’t be HERE if I was never THERE
Lord, help me to value the “ALLEYS” in my life. Help me to fully embrace ALL the things from my past. Even the “MESSY” things…