BEAUTY

Our family vacation was wonderful...and now it is time to re-engage with caring for the house. The timing was good. While we were gone, the drywallers took over the place and now we actually have rooms!

the kitchen...looking towards the mudroom, laundry and back entrance.

the back entrance...laundry room, closet and powder room

at the top of the steps looking down the second floor hallway

the master bath...will have a tiled shower

a study/reading nook on the landing at the top of the stairway

Everything was coated with white chalky dust from drywall sanding and sawdust from enlarging the large built in wardrobes. Before we can begin flooring, I knew we needed a big day of cleaning and organizing. This house needs to be cared for...and I was gone for 2 weeks.

Keith and I started in the livingroom. It has a lovely hardwood floor with inlays around the perimeter. In order to save it, we need to clean it and cover it so the workers don't damage it. Just a touch of water brought out the beauty.

We worked on our knees for quite awhile. Drops of drywall mud and adhesive needed to be scratched off. Sanding and varnish will come later, but right now we needed to protect it so that its true beauty will shine someday.

 We continued cleaning and organizing. We wandered outside to tidy up as well. With all the rain and warm weather, the grass had grown over a foot tall and bushes and flowers were growing wild and out of control. In the midst of all the hot and heavy work, I couldn't help but take some time for some more beauty...

 I created a little place to sit at our back porch entrance. Some old plastic lawn chairs and a cast off table I found in the basement made a perfect spot for a bouquet of roses in an old milk bottle. We would have our lunch there.

I pondered this need for beauty in my life. I think it is a reflection of God's character. He loves beauty too. During our vacation in Europe, I especially loved hiking in the Swiss Alps. Nothing compares to the beauty of those majestic mountains. It is there that I feel close to Him. 

So I press on with making this big old house beautiful. There are many tasks to do yet before its true beauty shows. I trust that God will guide my creativity and strengthen my hands for the work that is still ahead. Somehow I want the beauty of this house to reflect him...so that when family and friends fill the rooms, we all will sense his love and care through the protection and provision that this house brings.

He crowns us with beauty instead of ashes, gives us the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. We will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor! 

Isaiah 61:3

Look for beauty today!