This was two houses and about four years ago.
My Allergist had told me I needed to make a change upon hearing that I was dusting the double bookshelves in my room at least once a week.
“You shouldn’t be dusting, or vacuuming. Get someone else to do it. You can’t handle the dust.”
So, I prayed and felt I should search Craigslist for a piece of furniture to house our library.
This hutch was the solution and has housed our books ever since.
At the time I purchased this, it was the first time I’d been able to purchase a piece of furniture that felt like “me”.
Our years of marriage have been very blessed ones, but when we bought furniture it was more about the need than decorating our home.
Which I’m thankful for, because I have a bad tendency to charge ahead of the Lord, thinking I know best.
He has used the majority of our marriage to teach me how to make a home from what He gives, rather than what I believe is best.
When I purchased this hutch second- hand, I knew it was a gift from God.
Yesterday, as I was working on one of our other pieces of furniture, I realized God has allowed me to decorate this home to exactly my tastes.
Our second daughter even stated, at her first visit, “It looks like you, Mom.”
Although, I hadn’t really thought about it, this is the first time in our marriage that I’ve been able to decorate our entire house with things I love.
All of which were things on hand, except a few curtains.
For the past few years we’ve been blessed by the Lord with furniture, artwork, photographs, and dishes.
The chalkboard we made from Anne’s old dresser mirror hangs in the homeschooling corner.
The cake stand I purchased for Sis’s baby shower sits on top of the kitchen cabinets.
The photo of my father and father-in-law sitting side-by-side, each holding a grandchild (Dad is holding Sis and Papa our nephew who was killed at 19) hangs in my front room.
I can look around our home and see memories, loved ones, and the goodness of God.
If you read a few home decorating articles, you’ll see something referring to a “gathered over time” look.
That’s a perfect description of our home and throughout these gathered items, woven into our family’s story is the faithfulness of God, the love of Jesus Christ.
I’m a bit ashamed of myself and all the times, especially when we were first married, I whined to the Lord about not being able to decorate.
If I’d only been patient, gracious, and thankful for what God had provided.
Yet, I know the Lord has forgiven my folly and in exchange blessed me with a far greater gift than stuff.
He’s taught me to wait upon Him.
Isaiah 40:31 KJV — But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for providing for me in so many ways. Lord, I realize there are many in this world who hunger, they sleep cold, they are in extreme need. Lord, I know You see every single one and You love them. Lord, please continue to supply the needs of those in want. Lead them to Yourself and cloth them in salvation. Lord, there is nothing as important as eternity with You. Our petty grievances are temporary and our struggles are short compared to the wonders of Your salvation and the blessings of what You have prepared for those who love You. Lord, thank You for all Your blessings, down to the warm socks on my feet. Thank You for supplying our family with so much, please teach us to be good stewards. Please help us to glorify You with these things, for they all belong to You. Lord, if You were to take everything away tomorrow, may I be thankful and praise You. For this world is temporary and I want to live every day with joy and thanksgiving for You are worthy of all praise. My life is Yours, guide me in Your will that I might bring glory to Your name. Amen
patientlyhopeful 