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By Dean Kelly

Life is messy. You try to tie it up into a neatly wrapped package, but instead it just pops the package and goes every which way.

We want it neat and tidy because then we are in control. But it doesn’t take long to see, whether we understand or not, that we aren’t in control. We cannot control the course of events. We cannot control how other people are going to act.

Sure, we make decisions, often life altering ones. Yet we can’t truly be certain of any outcomes in this world. As much as we try, even the best laid plans may have to change. Life will never be the tidy package we would like it to be.

Actually, life would be pretty boring if it was a tidy little package. It would lose a part of what makes it interesting, the unknown that will happen. I know, you say, “I could take a little boredom!” Duly noted!

Most people hate drama in their lives. There are those who, for some unknown reason seem to live for strife, discord, and drama. However, most often drama is foolishness by one or more persons. And, way too often it could be overcome by simply communicating. Sometimes drama is obviously caused by something much deeper and the source of drama is truly serious. But, often, it is folks acting foolishly toward each other.

Life is messy. But it is worth living. Life is messy, but so much more the reason to hold onto something that is not changing, not messy but certain. Life is messy, and that is why we need an anchor, that hope found in the cross of Jesus!

So, here’s a prayer that you have a wonderful, “messy” life anchored in Jesus, and filled with love in the midst of the chaos. That’s the best we can ask for here on earth!

Dean Kelly is minister at Highland Home Church of Christ.