How Do You See Things?


I think I’m finally growing used to my new surroundings. 

Oh, I haven’t moved anywhere. 


I’m still in the same place but my place seems different. 

I got new counter chairs for my kitchen and had three pieces of furniture painted —a buffet and two chests of drawers. {
Oh -- and I got a new little kitchen rug to stand on when I’m at my sink, too.}


I like all the changes, it’s just that my own house seems unfamiliar and it’s a little disorienting.

  

So now when I walk into my kitchen for coffee in the morning, instead of my old red counter chairs, the new blue ones are the first things I see. I ordered them online and they’re a lot bigger {and bluer} than I thought.

And did I mention I had to assemble them? Except I really couldn’t. 


I had a hard time just identifying all the parts on the instruction sheet that arrived with the two big boxes filled with chair legs, cushions and a red bag of assorted bolts, screws and an Allen wrench. 


So I called my 12-year-old nephew. 


He rode his bike right over with a pocketful of screwdrivers and spent the next two hours putting the chairs together for me. 


So he was {understandably} a little deflated when I wasn’t sure I liked the chairs.




Meanwhile in the rest of my house, my friend Shawna’s been transforming my dark vintage furniture with coats of white paint. 

The dark holes where they stood in the corners of my rooms are now so bright, it's almost too dazzling to look at. 


Although I've been wanting these furniture facelifts and new chairs for quite awhile, I wasn't sure I wanted them all at once.


Every room I walk into there's something new to greet me and I feel a little off-balance.

  


Isn’t that how God works in our lives? 

He's on the move. Always. And sometimes it's uncomfortable and unfamiliar and awkward.

He rearranges our priorities and shakes our circumstances. 
He moves people in and out of our lives and disturbs our routines. 
He shifts our hearts and nudges our souls.

He does this because he's moving us closer to him, to a deeper maturity. Our hearts move closer to him and we get a glimpse of how he sees our lives because he's looking at the things we can't see. 

He's looking at our future. 

When an unexpected turn of events or a difficulty moves into my little corner of the world, I spend a few days wringing my hands until I realize maybe there’s another way to look at it. 


My place hasn’t changed but I start to see my place differently.

That problem I was wringing my hands about could be a golden opportunity. 
The hassle might have a silver lining. 
The mishap might be a blessing in disguise.

When God moves in our lives, it changes what we see.

Because God is always moving, always maturing us, always working out his purposes in our lives, we have to decide if we’ll wade through the strangeness, the awkwardness to get to the next plateau.
Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God. - Heb. 6:1

I’m getting used to seeing my blue chairs {I told my nephew I'm not returning them}, and I'm liking what I see when I look at my lighter vintage furniture. 

And there is one thing I’ve been sure of since the moment I brought it into my house.


I really do love my little sky blue rug that lies under my sink. 

When I stand on it from my corner of the kitchen, I can see things in a very different light.





I'm having coffee with my friends at Holley Gerth's place at Coffee for your Heart and Bonnie Gray at the Faith Barista. My blogging friends there are serving up encouraging posts!




Comments

  1. Oh those blue chairs look so comfy. You're so brave to order furniture online. A few months ago I ordered a chandi and just one peak let me know that it was TOO big and TOO green. Back it went to Pottery Barn to the tune of $60+ dollars.

    UGH.

    We hung a few more pictures on our newly painted white walls yesterday. I feel more and more at home ...

    Loved listening to your story and comparing notes today, Valerie! And I love the white, white, white!

    ;-}

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    1. Hi Linda,
      I was beginning to think I was a little crazy to order such a thing as chairs online but I couldn't find any in the stores! Can't wait to see all the changes happening in your neck of the woods -- and I'm with you on white -- it's so deliciously clean! :)

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  2. I love what you've done with your place! It's so inviting and fresh!

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    1. Kelly,
      Thanks so much -- I'm a fan of white for a bright and cheery environment! :)

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  3. I love getting a glimpse into the bigger picture of all your decorating updates ♥ I did a little rearranging myself Monday... I now have a makeshift desk in a quiet corner of my bedroom. Not sure if I like it yet. Itching to slap some paint on some of my dark furniture too! I get that it is a little overwhelming when it all changes at once (in life and decor!) but thank goodness the Lord can rework our perspective when we let him. And your nephew is quite a handy guy to have around. ♥ xo Much love to you today friend xo

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    1. Heather,
      Did you like my before photos?! I say go ahead and slap paint on all your dark furniture too! And are you taking a week off your blog this week? If so, I applaud taking a break, but I'll miss it! xo

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    2. Yes, the furniture was pretty before- your taste is lovely- but it was so much more "Valerie" after it was painted lighter ♥ There may be a post ruminating for later in the week...but not sure if it will come out today. ♥ Sometimes the words just aren't ripe...!

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  4. This is so beautiful, Valerie!

    He rearranges our priorities and shakes our circumstances.
    He moves people in and out of our lives and disturbs our routines.
    He shifts our hearts and nudges our souls.

    He does this because he's moving us closer to him, to a deeper maturity. Our hearts move closer to him and we get a glimpse of how he sees our lives because he's looking at the things we can't see.

    So powerful & true!!!

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  5. "Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God. - Heb. 6:1" I love how you compare this verse with God's Movement of our life-steps, and then let us ruminate on that thought as you invite us into your moving-around-home. I see God doing that in my own life now, as I must let go of some of the moving-around-in-my-home that I loved to do. But thank you for reminding me that all is not lost! God is just moving me into a new way of seeing yet again. Your words and photos are such a beautiful encouragement! --Blessings on you and your Home!

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    1. Bettie,
      I was struck by that verse that God is not only moving within us, but moving us onward and upward to always experience new things with him -- I'm glad it spoke to you too!

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  6. Welcome back, Valerie. I missed you last week and started worrying about you, praying you were alright.

    I love how your creativity shines in your home. It always looks so cheery. I'm sure your nephew felt honored that auntie needed him.

    This along with the Bible verse really touches me - "Because God is always moving, always maturing us, always working out his purposes in our lives, we have to decide if we’ll wade through the strangeness, the awkwardness to get to the next plateau." It's hard when God shakes up our circumstances, but He is always working out His purpose to mature us, isn't He? Blessings and hugs to you!

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    1. Hi Trudy,
      I appreciate your prayers and your sweet words here are always so welcome! My nephew really is an engineering genius already and I really couldn't have put the chairs together -- I seem to be missing some sort of put-it-together gene that I can't process step-by-step instructions!

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  7. Oh, I love this Valerie and I love you new surroundings too. Sometimes I feel a little too familiar with God's moving but His purpose is higher than mine, when all I want is comfort. Thanks for helping me be more mindful of God's moving.

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    1. Hi Debby,
      Thank you for your always kind and generous encouragement!

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  8. Valerie I always enjoy the Tours of your home and the life lessons U weave. I like all of the light blue and white I love those bright color schemes!

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    1. Somer,
      So nice to see you here again! So glad you enjoyed my little virtual tour! xo

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  9. I really enjoy looking at your pictures. Your house looks like something from a magazine. so pretty. Things have changed in my house too. My husband has a new job. Kinda hard to readjust but I know God is going to use it for His glory. I want to be ready and not fight it. visiting from coffee for your heart #92

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    1. Hi Kristina,
      Oh I can relate to how difficult is to adjust to a new job! I hope things get on a more even keel soon! But sometimes those are the times when we can experience God in ways we haven't before and even though it's difficult, there are gems to be mined!

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  10. God does seem to like to see us off balance, doesn't He? :)
    I love your home's new look! You have such good taste!

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    1. Sarah,
      Thanks for your sweet words! Yes, I think we need him so much more when things are off-balance!

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  11. "When God moves in our lives, it changes what we see." So true, Valerie. I'm consistently amazed at the way He moves in a thousand unseen ways - and when our eyes are finally opened, it's as if we are seeing His amazingness for the very first time. He is so good! And...the house looks beautiful!

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    1. Hi Tiffany,
      Oh I love how you said God moves in a thousand unseen ways! You have such a beautiful way with words, my friend!

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  12. Valerie! I love seeing your house and all your new furniture! I love the white and the blue chairs too! ( I also love the dish towels on your oven door! so cute!) Anyway and the words you spoke about how God is always on the move and changing things has really spoken to me tonight- I don't like change. I like things to settle and I find that this year has been completely non stop full of change and it has been hard! Thanks for helping me see the positive side of it and reminding me that God is at work brining good to my life through it!! Thank you for this beautiful post! and for sharing your beautiful home!

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    1. Hi Susie,
      Aren't those dish towels the cutest? For some reason, dish towels mean a lot to me (kind of like kitchen throw rugs!) and I love it when they're cheerful. :) Being unsettled is so hard, isn't it, for those of us who love schedules and routines and find our comfort there, but the times when things are upside down, I'm constantly looking up to the only one who can settle ME, even if my circumstances stay turbulent. So love exchanging thoughts and comments with you, my kindred sister! :) xo

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  13. I'm a quiet reader,and I sorely missed your not posting last week. Your words, stories, and applications draw my heart to my Father's heart--and I thank you. Blessings! NM

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    1. Thank you for noticing . . . and missing my blog last week - -your words are much appreciated!

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  14. I love all the new items, especially love the new painted furniture. They turned out gorgeous!

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    1. Bree,
      They did turn out so lovely, didn't they? I love them!

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  15. Valerie I absolutely loved this. It felt, while reading, that you were speaking to me and we were having a conversation. God does move us into situations that we may not think if ourselves. I know you know I just moved in Georgia for a change of scenery and honestly it was the best for me even though I was kicking and screaming doing so lol. He knows what's best for you, you don't. And you have to allow him to work in your life. Which is exactly what I'm doing. I asked him for something and I believe he's guiding me towards it.

    By the way, your blue chairs amazing. Don't give those away. And your nephew is such a good boy. Loved this post.

    Kia / KTS
    www.houseofkts.com

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    1. Hi Kia,
      So grateful to see you again here as you're going through such a difficult season! I feel so connected to you too, when I read your words too! I'm keeping you in my prayers and I hope a new season brings you fresh perspective. And YES, my sweet nephew is an absolute treasure -- I love that he's so helpful to his auntie! :)

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    2. Thank you so much for keeping me in your prayers Valerie. It truly means a lot to me :). And everyday I gain a new perspective on myself, my situation, and what he needs of me. Great post.

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  16. Nice looking furniture. Everything looks bright and elegant. Change is often hard at first but I've always found it is better in the end and I trust God to show me that goodness. Nice post!

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    1. Ben,
      Nice to see you here! And you used my favorite word - elegant! :) Thanks for your very kind words!

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  17. Such beautiful words, Valerie. I love when you said that God is looking at the things we can't see. He is looking at our future. That is a painful truth to realize at times, especially when we are in a painful or unsettling circumstance. I love how your mind words and am so thankful that you share it with all of us. AND I LOVE the furniture pics!! Can you send me some whenever you get a chance? I know what you mean about seeing something new when you walk into a room - sometimes it takes a while to get used to things, but soon we can't even remember how they used to look! :)
    -Shawna

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    1. Hi Shawna,
      Yes I'll send some photos! The furniture turned out so good -- you are so talented! I think when we can't see what our future holds, we just have to trust that God is holding something for us to experience him in, and keep taking the next step in front of us!

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  18. Valerie, I love your new blue chairs and all your updates. I'm so thankful we serve a God that loves us enough to change us! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Ellen,
      Thanks for stopping over here again -- it'a always nice to hear from you!

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