Happy Sunday! Raise your hand if you love a good planner and making plans? The last few months have certainly taught us that plans don't always work out as we draft them. Through all of this (and other trying times) I have often heard, "It's all part of God's plan." While I understand that this statement is meant to bring comfort, it isn't accurate. God's plans are NEVER for evil or pain or sickness or to hurt us. God does not plan pandemics, he does not injure us, he does not take people from us, he doesn't bankrupt us. God is virtuous, his plans are righteous. He can use our pain and our hurts to make us better and stronger, but they are never a part of his intentions. And this verse reminds us that not only is the Lord good, but he is good and compassionate to ALL of us--amen!
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Sunday Verses
Happy Sunday! I have had the Dixie Chicks' song "She Needs Wide Open Spaces" running through my brain the past few days. It might be the weather (we have had lots of rain and some snow) and certainly it is because the words quarantine and socially distancing have become all too familiar and common. After being in a cramped and confined hiding space, God led David to a spacious spot. We all go through tight, tough seasons that make us feel entrapped. We long for freedom, for places where we allow our hearts and feelings of peace run free. God is inexplicably thrilled when we find that freeing, wide open space within the expanse of his loving arms. God waits for us, delivers and rescues us, not because of anything we do, not because we earn it or work hard enough for it, but because it delights him. If you are feeling enclosed, trapped by the hard things, rest and rejoice in the vast space of God's saving love, grace, and peace.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Rustic Farmhouse Work Table
The little blue desk I shared last week (HERE) sold within a few days.
That inspired me to build a rustic, farmhouse desk/ work table.
I have made these before, but not for a few years. I am really happy how this one came out (because honestly, I am never sure when I start).
I used reclaimed barnwood and started by making the sides. I cut the front legs as a 20 degree angle. I painted the legs white before adding some barnwood that I planed to the top. I made this table longer than the previous ones--it is 48" long.
The bottom shelf sits back a bit and is only one board wide so there is room for a chair. The bottom shelf is perfect for books, baskets, feet. A diagonal board across the back helps to remove any wobble the table might have.
This rustic farmhouse table makes a great desk, vanity, entry or sofa table, or a potting bench. It is sturdy and not too big so it would work in lots of spot. How would you use it?
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Sunday Verses
Happy Sunday and Happy Mother's Day! I found some fun graffiti on a recent walk. I liked how the LOVE stood out and covered some of the other negative things. Love is like that, when practiced well, it covers and heals a whole lot of ugly. If you are a mom (or parent) you certainly know that love allows us to overlook, forgive, and ignore a whole mess of faults. We love our children without conditions and we love them as if our lives depend on it. But, often times we do not show this same kind of love to others. When we let love lead it makes the other things--the hard things and the difficult people, a bit easier to understand and easier to endure. Parenting gives us plenty of opportunities to work on unconditional love. Jesus loves us freely and perfectly. Let's practice sharing that same sin-covering, patient, kind, forgiving love with all those we come in contact with.
Monday, May 4, 2020
Roadside Desk Rescue and Cowboy Stool
Freebies on the side of the road seem few and far between anymore. But, recently I spied a little desk in the street that just had to come home with me. (Yes, I wore a mask, and wiped it down with disinfecting wipes before I put it in my car.)
It had a big crack across the top (it is repaired in the above picture). I glued and clamped the split and used mending plates underneath it to keep it held together. It is sturdy and didn't need any other repair.
Whoever had painted it, had done a decent job painting it a teal color with a dark/black stain over the top. However, it had some crusty, bubbly spots of missing paint so I decided to give it a good sanding. I also wanted to sand well along the split that I repaired, but didn't want it to only be sanded along the line. There was light blue paint under the teal and tan under that. I think the wood is oak.
After lots of sanding, I used Early American Minwax stain on this rustic desk.
The cute little cowboy stool was from the thrift store, pre-covid. It's original life was as an oak stool with a wicker seat. I think it was probably a vanity stool and is fairly old. When I found it someone had spray painted it with the pebbly stone spray paint (which is a bear to sand off) and covered in a less than lovely brown vinyl. I sanded and stained it and recovered it with some fun cowboy fabric I have been holding on to.
I won't sell the desk and stool as a set,but I do think they are cute together. The desk has a worn, rugged denim look and the fabric in the stool has some great blues that match the desk.
These would be cute in a cabin or cowboy room or the desk would make a great little entry table or a tall side table.
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Sunday Verses
Happy Sunday! Do you ever just get a gut feeling about something and you don't know if you should trust it or not? Our "guts", intuition, insights, and discernment are all gifts from God. The problem is, we often forget to use these gifts because they get buried, hidden, and disguised by the worldly stuff. Sometimes we know the truth, but we don't want to see it because it is difficult to hear. Fears and worries mask our instincts. I know that when I have ignored hunches and have turned a deaf ear to my intuition, I have regretted it. We sense what is right, we inherently know what is true, but we often don't trust it. We need to listen to our hearts, to God, and lean on what and WHO we know is right, and true, and good. This week pay attention to those deep, tugging feelings and listen to and heed wise counsel.
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