These past two weeks I’ve been laser-focused on making this little apartment our home.

I’m been scoping out the second-hand stores, choosing paint colors, and painting thrifted furniture and accessories. With the few funds I have available, I want to ‘get it right.’ And I don’t want to waste precious time.

 

What does home decor and God have to do with each other?

 

For the past 10 months other than the balcony oasis I created this summer, my decor focus has mostly centered around the table and creating seasonal moments on my console table, another roadside find.  So this passionate approach I’ve taken to feathering my nest since moving to this temporary apartment is definitely a new twist.

To the casual observer, I probably look like I’m all caught up in “the things of the world.”  My in-laws might even call me “materialistic.”

It’s true that I’m temporarily bent on creating a home in this spot where we are.  It’s also true that I don’t want to live in a place where the furniture is simply utilitarian without any pleasing home decor.  And if being materialistic means choosing to include objects in my home for their usefulness and beauty… so be it.

God didn’t make a minimalist black and white world, he didn’t make everything round, or angular, or 2D. This magnificent world that God created for us and his glory is intricate, beautiful, and is filled with one colorful marvel after another.

 

My home decor and God's nature

 

As I sit here on my $55 thrift store love seat and tap on the keys of my laptop, I look across the room and through the window panes I see spectacular treetops.  Tall oaks starting to turn golden brown around their leaf tips, yellow, peach, orange, and golden maples, and if I look closely, I even see a few graceful bronzed beech trees.

The mosaic of colors alone delights my eye.  I never tire of my view of the layers of branches and leaves and tall dark brown and sometimes lichen-covered tree trunks.  Today I even get a glimpse of a bright blue sky and white puffy clouds behind the leafy branches that seem to be dancing in praise toward heaven.

If that were all I knew of the world, would I not want to bring that inside as well?

We were created to appreciate beauty.

Wherever we call home is our earthy sanctuary and I believe, should in some way, be cozy, visually pleasing, and comfortable.

We had expected that we would have moved into a more permanent house by now with all the things that we have stored 8 hours away.  As much as we have hoped and prayed for that… we have not been able to make it happen.  Yet, I’m reminded that it is not our place to force the hands of God, either.  So, I am doing what I know to do… making a sanctuary for our little family to call home.

What’s interesting… as driven as I’ve been in this short time to make a home in this temporary tiny apartment… I’ve realized that as important as it is to create a family sanctuary… we have a bigger and better sanctuary in our Savior and a true forever home that is beyond anything we can imagine.

This isn’t a new concept to me. Far from it.

What’s most apparent to me right now is that though I enjoy the hunt and the process of transforming things, my heart is different.

 

Things I'm learning through my home decorating experience about God

 

Tim and I are no longer employed as “professionals,” instead, we are doing the work that God has placed before us and doing our best to bless those we work with and for through the work of our “hands.”  More than ever before, we are aware that everything we have and everything we are is ours only by the grace of God.  I’ve understood that concept for many years… but it has become personal to me these days.

Making a purchase at the thrift store or TJ Maxx or Hobby Lobby does not give me any intrinsic satisfaction.  Each find, each purchase makes me keenly aware that it is only through God’s gracious generosity and provision that I am able to create an attractive and comfortable space.

I am overwhelmingly blessed to be able to express my creativity in putting found objects together for visual appeal.  Applying paint and transforming someone’s cast-off furniture or architectural piece is gratifying.  Not just for the end result, but because in some supernatural way, it puts me in touch with my creator God and his redemptive work in my life and in the lives of those I love.

 

Pretty fall leaves - God's creation as it relates to my home decor

 

Though our hopes and dreams seem to have been obliterated, God is showing me that in spite of our displacement, we still have value and goodness to offer in his kingdom.  And so this process of restoring objects and using them to create a home in what is otherwise a less than desirable location brings me joy… JOY in the ONE who daily demonstrates his love and care for me.  It also fans the embers of hope that had almost gone cold.   This process is one more way through which I am able to acknowledge my gratitude for God’s goodness.

Tim and I are no longer in a position where we can boast about our accomplishments in any form.  Maybe that is a blessing in disguise.

What we can do… is what we now love to do more than anything… boast in the Lord our God.

He has demonstrated over and over that regardless of our circumstances, he is loving, faithful, and just.

And best of all… the more we know and understand God, the more there is to know and understand.  And on and on it goes.

“The wise should not boast of their wisdom,
    nor the strong of their strength,
    nor the rich of their wealth.
If any want to boast,
    they should boast that they know and understand me,
because my love is constant,
    and I do what is just and right.
These are the things that please me.
I, the Lord, have spoken.” 

Jeremiah 9:23-24

 

It's JoyDay! - Home Decor and God's Grace

 

It’s JoyDay!

 
Through all the ups and downs of life, I’ve come to the conclusion that counting and giving thanks are key to trusting God.  When we take time to see all that God is doing in and through our lives… it’s pretty amazing!  How can we NOT put our whole trust in HIM?  So… please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.  This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space resets our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord. And ultimately fills our hearts with JOY!

I’ll start…

Thank you, God for…

  1. all You have shown me through this nest-feathering process.
  2. some of the nicest compliments this week. Thank you for encouraging me through the words of your people.
  3. another vehicle.  I’m amazed at how it has already reduced my stress.
  4. paint and its transformative power and the realization that YOUR transformative power goes much deeper than the surface.
  5. being able to say goodbye to the downstairs tenants. (Please join us in praying for new quiet, wholesome, rule-abiding neighbors.)
  6. a very special baptism, yesterday.
  7. being our God and so worthy of our boasts of You.

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.May your week overflow with unimaginable Joy! Signature - AnExtraordinaryDay.netReceive FREE inspiration like this in your inbox!
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Comments

  1. Judy says

    Hi Diane, no extraordinary thoughts here. Only thanks for your uplifting attitude in spite of the difficulties you and Tim have and are still going through. I believe one of the primary purposes of God allowing long and difficult times in our lives is so we can look to Him for our strength, consolation and direction as we praise him for allowing such circumstances to engulf us. We, too, have been walking through difficulty and two weeks ago my husband went to live in glory with his Lord. I have no idea what caused the change in direction in your lives nor in ours, but I do know that God is good all the time. It is not possible for Him to be other than good. Every day I praise Him for His word which speaks to us in every circumstance and season of life. One day we will behold Him in all of His glory and love for us. Then our questions will either be answered or vanish from our minds as we worship Him as never before. Thoughts as those make keeping my spirits high while burdened with calamities easier and worthwhile! May it be well with you and Tim.

  2. Minnie McCoy says

    Joy Day my sweet friend!
    I’m so happy that you are finding joy in decorating. It makes my heart smile to visualize you fluffing your nest. I always find joy and comfort doing this myself.
    My family has had a wow! of a week.
    I am thankful for,
    1. Grandson number 4 was born on Tuesday. That little guy tried a couple times to get here early. Now he is here and all is well.
    2. Grandson was born on Halloween. The day also makes me happy because several Halloweens ago we had a family member commit suicide on that day. Now that day has a very happy event!
    3. Because of babies birth I was babysitting another grandson. We spent 10 or so hours together and had a wonderful time.
    4. My oldest son (former Marine now a plumber) came over and fixed the shower.
    5. Last night the weather was so cold but I was snuggly warm under all my handmade blankets. Oh puppies were thankful too
    6. I found yet another Christian based blog.
    7. The turkeys in the field behind our house are back. I love to watch and listen to the wild life out my back door.
    I was a little worried about you yesterday Diane. I was thinking you might not have been feeling well, glad you were at a special baptism enjoying the day.
    Blessings to you!
    Minnie

  3. Minnie McCoy says

    P.S.
    Such beautiful pictures! Fantastic!!
    Thank you for sharing ?
    Minnie

  4. Gwen says

    What a beautiful post. I was kind of looking for you but my inbox was at over 100 which is not normal for me so I thought I’d just missed it. This evening I know now it was the Lord who led me to spam folder. Many things from my address book were there. Even one from a missionary family I follow. What JOY to see joy day.
    I’m also glad you feel better. And am thankful you are working on all of your home now. It is satisfying to accomplish this creativeness. I do not know why but I’ve not been making much of anything. Although I have made dinner several times with leftovers. And my table has Turkish squash as decor in a pan. It’s fun. So much I’d like to remove. Take to the thrift store near us. I did a big push earlier when I painted several pieces from my parents. I loved them as is in my parents’ Home but here they needed transformation by paint and redesign. It is satisfying! We shall look forward to seeing your design.
    Yes to be thankful in the midst of long long multiple trials. Today I reflected on The Lord is my Shepherd.
    We have always had sheep around here somewhere and it’s so fun to watch. Yes there’s electric wire but off in the distance is the everpresent Shepherd watching his sheep. Who easily follow even me as I walk along my car when we’ve stopped! Sheep need a shepherd. I need Jesus. It’s been hard on my brain all this upheaval.
    1. The kids and grands and the daddies were here for a fun happy photo shoot for Christmas cards and display. I was even able to prepare our meal.
    2. I slept this morning and evening
    3. My friend called at the perfect time
    4. God will fight
    5. My head hurts now. ?✝️?? For us especially

  5. Lucy Beliveau says

    Thank you for this grand opportunity, Diane!

    1. Thank you for Guy, my Dear Husband, for he loves and helps me unconditionally.
    2. Thank you for Champlain Medical Center who saw me when I was in Adrenal Insufficiency Crisis. Their help was critical.
    3. Thank you for Steve and Joe, the Ambulance Drivers who took me to the ER in Plattsburg, NY.
    4. Thank you for the pain medication that was given to me for the atrocious migraine from which I was suffering.
    5. Thank you for the Nurses and Doctors who tended to my needs and helped me to finally feel better.
    6. Thank you for my new bargain lace curtains for our living room windows. They are just as pretty as I thought they would be. They make me smile as God’s sunshine filters through so beautifully!
    7. Thank you to Guy for Hanging the book shelf for our cook books! They look wonderful and our collection is lovely! ?

  6. Betty brown says

    I love this post Diane.I was praying this morning and I told God i trust You,i can’t make anything happen and sometimes i try to but i trust You! Joy mixed with sadness this week-A grandson got married and seeing him pray with his new wife was such joy.God providing what i needed for the wedding.The low heel cheap shoes i found to wear.:) Talking to my son who relapsed and him saying im gonna start my morning with a devotion. God giving me strength to just do what i do each day brings me joy.He gives me strength to be a light to the people i meet at work .I seem to always be caregiving. 🙂 God bless your “nest “.

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