Cleaning My Plate
One of my favorite parts of the week is when I get an email from Lulu’s preschool teacher telling me her version of what they learned this week.
Rarely does her story match Lulu’s.
Frequently I’m the one who learns something.
The dramatic reenactment below is based on Lulu’s chapel lesson this week, as relayed by her teacher.
Seeing that today is the start of Lent, I thought the message was quite relevant to the next six weeks of our lives, and in my case, hopefully much longer.
Today I got up and had breakfast. It’s National Pancake Week, so I had a heaping stack of fluffy pancakes, doused in sticky, delicious maple syrup. I was running late and had to get Lulu to school, Gigi to the dentist and myself to the gym, so I just left the plate on the counter.
For lunch, I came home and threw together a big, fat peanut butter and jelly sandwich and ate it on the same plate. I had a bunch of emails to return, a few Facebook friends to stalk and some pigs in helmets to exterminate, and so, running late, I just left my plate on the counter again.
Dinner came around, and in between carpooling and sending Twitter updates, I threw together some veggie burgers and fries with lots of ketchup. Lots and lots of ketchup. After updating the blog and responding to comments, packing lunches and reading bedtimes stories, I was too tired to wash my plate, so I just left it on the counter and went to bed.
What a mess.
Well, if you haven’t figured it out, the plate represents a day in our life.
All the crumbs, slops and drips on the plate are fear, stress, negativity and shallow worries.
When we pray, it takes everything in our heart and makes us fresh and new.
But we rarely take the time to slow down and clean our plates. We just keep tacking things on until all we have left is a big mess.
Worse still, we can’t taste any of the good things that life has to offer because we are just piling them onto our dirty plates.
Just like our plates need to be cleaned, so do our hearts.
It may mean giving up a few of the things we feel we “have to” do to take the time and do a few of the things we truly “need to” do. But it’s worth it.
I’m willing to sacrifice some things. I want a clean plate. I want to taste all life has to offer me.
Guiltlessly. Unapologetically. Fearlessly.
Because I know how truly delicious life can be.
What a great read to start the day! Loved it
Great post Mama Pea, and a very relevant reminder at this time of year. I completely agree that we need to make time for prayer, and I’m afraid to admit that I don’t do it as often as I really should. For Lent I’ve decided to give up acting judgmentally/too critically of myself and others, and I think I need to give up dirty plates too!
Great post today – great message
That was a good one, Mama Pea! And perfect for this Ash Wednesday!
Good reminder Mama Pea! I know I need to remember this, not just during Lent, but all year long!
For a minute there I thought to myself, “Darn, Mama Pea, you really need to get a new plate – isn’t that why you bought that dishwasher?”
Then I realized it was an analogy.
Thanks for the wisdom
I love this! Such a beautiful visual of something so important that most Americans forget all about it–clearing out the daily life junk and letting go. (And I also love that you ate off of the same plate. It makes me feel like a more normal person.)
Amazing post! I know there are any times I need to clean my plate and realize I don’t have to do it all. Thanks for this
Um, okay so I’m a little emotional right now anyway, but THANK YOU! My plates (yes plural) are way messier than that one and right now I’ve got to get “cleaning”.
Such a great post – I really needed this reminder, and I love the plate analogy. Thanks for your wise words!
Great message and thank you for sharing. It really puts things into perspective. On this (sorta) same topic, last night I was doing a Jillian Michaels workout and during the cooldown she started talking about how cooldown isn’t just about stretching and bringing your heart rate down but it should also be the time where you stop and reflect on how much you’ve accomplished – how far too often we beat ourselves up about everything we didn’t do and don’t stop to appreciate what we did get done. Maybe she does this in every DVD…I don’t know, it’s the first one I’ve done but I liked the message.
wow. wonderful visual, Sarah! seriously!
Wonderful post!! It’s great reading such good thoughts on your blog. Love those pictures of your little girl, she’s adorable!
Great post and words and thoughts. Thanks for sharing about cleaning your plate, on a variety of levels.
And for the record, I think your girls can rival me in just how much ketchup is necessary. They love it as much as I do it looks like
What a great thought. Rushing around through life doesn’t lead to actually living. And without time to reflect and give thanks, what’s the point? Thanks for some good thoughts today.
**Love**
Aw, I loved this post
Beautiful. Thanks! I’m working on being kind — to others and to myself, both with spoken words, actions, and internal words. It’s a real eye opener when you ask yourself “Is this kind?” or “Was that kind?” everytime you say, think or do something.
I LOVE this Mama. Such an important reminder. I know that I get caught up in the nitty gritty of things far to often, and forget to look at the bigger picture, to count my blessings so to speak. Thank you so much for sharing what was in your heart today, it really makes a difference.
Not only do you deliver refreshing recipes but refreshing spiritual thoughts as well! Thank you for this!
I can’t even begin to explain how much this spoke to me and where I’m at this morning. Thank you!
I’m glad you were able to take something from it.
This is why I love reading your blog! I love reading everything you write. Recipes, daily antics, spiritual posts… Everything! Thanks for making me think today
Thank you so much, Kristen.
Beautiful post. Thank you for the reminder to make time for what matters!
Ohhhh, TJ’s maple agave, LOVE, and found the Olivio brand Coconut Spread, heaven on pancakes!!!!! Which we had yesterday too for dinner, and PRAISE THE LORD my husband helped cleaned the house after I made him pancakes, I am all for National Pancake Day like, every week!!!! Love your post by the way, very good self examination for Ash Wednesday!
Beautiful post! I definitely need to be reminded to slow down. Thank you and have a wonderful, clean-plated evening!
You too, Lauren.
What a great reminder. Love this. Thank you.
This was a really good post, thank-you for the reminder
Beautiful post! I love how your blog contains thoughtful posts, recipes, and laughs and lots of love.
By the way I love the picture of you on the right hand side. Lavender is a gorgeous color on you!!
Thank you, Tiffany.
I too tend to reuse plates… Especially if it only had breadcrumbs from breakfast. Sometimes, it’s just easier…
Loved this!!!!
This is so true, and I needed to hear this today. Thank you for allowing God to speak through you to so many people!
I’m fasting off processed food for Lent, using the book A Place at the Table, which everyday highlights people in undeveloped countries who deal with hunger every day. I’m so grateful for Jesus who cleans me up and fills me up
Thanks for the sweet reminder!!
Thanks for mentioning the name of that book, I’m going to see if I can find it.
That’s really a perfect way to put it.
I need to clean my plate…
Thank you Mama Pea.
What a wonderful story. Definitely one to remember
As one of the multitude of mothers whose life seems crazy and messy and sometimes beyond help – thanks for the timely reminder. Starting now, I’m reminding myself to let some things go.
I hope you do, Cheri!
Fantastic analogy! I’m gonna take a minute to “clean my plate” tonight. Love this!
Wow…I needed that! I have been asking for some help with some issues…maybe this is the answer…Thank you! On a lighter note, maybe next time you could choose a different condiment…..past pregnancy=HUGE dislike for ketchup…my family asked why I was looking a little pale…still to this day the look and smell of ketchup can send me running!
Ha! I <3 ketchup. I hope things lighten up for you soon, Brenda.
a post i needed to read… and another reason why i love your blog
I love this. It really makes me think in a good way. You’re such a good writer/thinker! A year ago I gave up meat for Lent, looked up some vegetarian recipes, found your blog, and have read it every day since. I gave up meat because I thought it would be a good challenge and was always told you’re just supposed to give something up, but it turned into something totally different once I started doing some research. This Lent, I’m going to focus more on serving others and improving my own realtionship with Him. I love posts like this that encourage me and remind me to keep God my first priority in life.
Gabby, that is awesome. I’m so glad you have found exactly what you need this Lent. (I’m “giving up” the same thing)
Thanks for the plate analogy and your honest post. It’s true in my life as well! I need to put more in to REAL connections with others and with God. By the way, I’m reading Jesus Calling, too! I’ve started highlighting, and looking up the passages and writing part them below the print just to cement some themes. It’s such a great little book.
Thanks, Kristina. Isn’t that devotional amazing? Such a quick read that makes such a difference in my day. Glad we’ve been able to connect.
fabulous message and well said =)
I am Jewish but I will give you a “AMEN SISTER!”:0)
Thanks, Shara. We all can clean our plates!
What a beautiful message! Thanks, Mama Pea!
Love this reflection, and it echoes my intentions this season. Thanks for putting this into words (and pictures).
Sports Illustrated…really? I would never have guessed you to be a reader
A wonderful message. Something we all need to hear more often, but particularly pertinent at Lent.
That’s Pea Daddy’s. Though I am jumping on this Lin-sanity bandwagon.
What a great reminder for us all, big and little folks. Thanks.
Thank you for this….I truly needed this today.
I loved this post. We really do need to stop and take the time to clean our plates. Thanks for putting this out there.
Thanks for responding to it, Lu.
Ahhh, what a beautiful description! I’m so glad I read this first thing this morning.
Thanks, Katie. I hope it impacts the rest of your day as well. Moms are notorious for having dirty plates.
Whoa! Add mind-reading to your list of accomplishments today! I was relaying a similar message to my husband this morning. Your words and visuals really helped to drive the point home. Thank you for sharing this today. It was much needed and much appreciated.
Thank you for responding to this, Lauren. It means a lot to me.
Mama Pea…you have NO idea how on time this was! I can’t thank you enough for sharing your wonderful recipeas and life lessons with us all….YOU are a gift!
Oh bless you, Connie!
That’s a perfect lesson, especially as we go in to the Lenten season! I never thought of it quite like that. I would love to have a clear plate, clear head, & clearer perspective, and so often I forget to stop to take the time. Thanks for the reminder!
My pleasure. I hope the message sticks!
What a great analogy! Very true!
I didn’t know it was National Pancake Week! I was raised by British parents so we’ve always celebrated Shrove Tuesday (I think Americans call it Pancake Day or Fat Tuesday?) this Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday and Lent begins, but I had no idea there was a whole week of it! How did I miss out on that
? Gotta make up for it in the next 3 days haha!
So true! We did a similar series of lessons in our sunday school class. It was called “Freedom from Busyness” and it was all about saving room for the desserts in life. Not getting bogged down by the day to day frustrations and making time to actually enjoy what is important (family, friends, relationships, etc). Love it!
I love the desserts analogy. Of course.
Great post! One question – What are pigs in helmets???
Ha! Angry Birds
GREAT visual, so helpful to SEE the crud accumulate. I love the scriptures about how everything that is good might not be good for YOU. Or permissible but not helpful. Whenever I leave our schedule open to get ‘space’ then I run right behind myself filling it up! ACK!
i wonder if i am the only one who loves your mug a whole lot. it looks like randy!
and i love you and your clever analogies. never fail to let me down with wit and wonder.
I was thinking of you. Do you get it? It says “chow hound!” Randy is a chow hound indeed.
Loved the post, and its great message!
Thank you so much.
I just stumbled upon your blog, and am loving it! This post is especially inspiring. I’m really looking forward to reading more!
Thank you, Amber! Glad you found us!
Today was not a good day for me…but you always make me laugh and today you helped me get my stuff in perspective. Thanks for good recipes, good humor and good thoughts. You are far more than a food blogger.
Thank you, Elizabeth. I get nervous to put myself out there sometimes, but comments like yours encourage me that it’s worth sharing. Hope your day gets better.
Ha! I had to google “pigs in helmets” because I thought it was slang for some type of bug!
That’s OK — we have different things on our plates (have you played Cat Physics?), but the message is the same. Our Ash Weds homily had a similar message — slow down; be more present in the everyday moments instead of always preparing for the next big thing. Thanks for sharing with the great visual.
I’m glad pigs in helmets is not a new virus.
I love the devotional-esque post! You should write them more often! It’s so important to be reminded to bring our crap to the Lord and let him cleanse us! It’s truly the only way to find satisfaction and abundant life!
Thank you, Anne. I love the way you said “bring our crap to the Lord.” YES!
this was beautiful
ahhhhh Sara I love love love your blog so much. Thank you for putting so much of yourself into it day in and day out. Great post.
Thank you, Monica!
mmmmmm mama this looks amazing! i’m loving kale more and more and this is going to be my next recipe to try!
whoops! that was meant for you other post (in case you couldn’t figure that out!)
I soooo needed this reminder today. Thanks for that.
I needed to read this tonight. Thanks.
aww this one was especially cute, and hilarious!
I love this post! It is so so true! What a great reminder to everyone that we need to simply things and get back to the basics. I’ve just become really aware of how unsatisfied we as humans are with our lives and how sad it is. Our pastor said something yesterday that really made sense to me…he said that the deepest longing of our hearts is eternal and that all of the things we keep chasing after here will perish and continue to be dissatifying. The only thing that can truly satisfy us is eternal. Although I’ve known this growing up with my faith, it is just really all starting to make sense. We have what we need and need to get back to the basics, “clean our plate,” to see what we have and appreciate it.
Love reading your blog!
Thanks, Natalie. I heard something similar this morning too…essentially not to get to used to or satisfied with what we have here because we are just passing through and there is so much more waiting for us. Here’s to clean plates for you and me both!
I love this post AND the analogy!! Great way to break it down!