Desperate Housewife

Alright...if you're one of the 6 or 7 people who actually read this little blog, you are probably wondering what on earth I've come up with now after reading the title of this post.

Remember my musings on being a real housewife of Harris County?

Okay, so here's what occurred to me. I was scrolling through the channels tonight and saw that Desperate Housewives was on. Now, this is not a show I've ever watched; but it's not because I'm just so righteous and holy. Quite honestly, it's because I find the title insulting. It's possible I haven't watched it because I have too much pride in what I do as a wife and mother to watch something that would insinuate desperation on my part. The insinuation that women allowed to be at home while the husband is the provider have so much time on their hands that being wife and mother just isn't fulfilling enough so housewives go to desperate measures to have their needs fulfilled is, at the very least, derogatory but also an oversimplification of what can and does occur in real homes across America - not just on Wisteria Lane. I'm pretty sure ABC probably makes the housewives' actions seem justified since their husbands are probably so out of touch with the reality of the home that these poor women have no choice! These women have needs, after all! (gag.) Never mind the consequences of a marriage and home wrecked by selfishness, insecurity, distrust, anger, unforgiveness...need I go on?

But I got to thinking: what if I began to embrace this word desperate? Now, stay with me. What if I walked in the realization that I am indeed desperate. But I am not desperate in all the same ways as the wives of Wisteria Lane. I am desperate for grace, for patience, for mercy, for peace, for freedom, for kindness, for genuineness, for hope, for time, for perspective, for God! For God alone...for more of Him in my life DAILY! You see, I am desperate. But I don't think I realize just how desperate I am or I would do something about it by seeking Him out more. There would be action and not just wishes for more time in His Word. Time in God's Word is never a waste! I am always blown away by something I read because His Word is so rich and I am often so dry. I know what I'm supposed to do, but I don't do it. Remember Paul? Paul is so amazingly honest and dead on in his confession, "That which I do not want to do, I do; and that which I want to do, I do not do." Every time I read that verse I want to scream, "THAT'S ME! WHY ARE WE LIKE THIS, PAUL?!" At least I'm in good company with Paul!

The denial of my desperate state causes me to neglect the things I need the most. It may even be a sign of pride in my life that I try to do this housewife/mommy thing on my own, not making near enough time with the source of all the things I'm so desperate for! How much better could I do this thing if I were going to God, expressing my sincere desperation for more of HIM! None of us is perfect. Having more grace, patience, mercy, peace, freedom, kindness, genuineness, hope, time, perspective and even more of God himself will not make me a perfect woman or the perfect wife and mommy. But, I do believe it would make me more like Christ. And that would be a good thing for everyone in this house.