Do you ever have this internal struggle with yourself? I do all the time. As a blogger – home decor, furniture, paint colors, tiny details… all these things are constantly on my mind. It’s not just a passionate hobby of mine anymore, it’s my job. And just like everyone I want to be the best I can be at my job! So as I walk through this journey of blogging certain things start to bother me. Sometimes it bothers me to dwell on the appearance of my house when I know there are people out there without a roof over there head. Taking that perfect picture of your perfect dinner just seems to loose it’s scrumptious appeal when I know there are little bellies out there who would appreciate that food much more than my own family. It’s hard. But just like everything else I have to search and seek God with all of my internal struggles. It’s still a struggle for me, but I have found peace in knowing that I do the best I can for my family, with the job that God has given me, and this is a job that helps provide. I also find peace in knowing that I have big dreams one day when my kids aren’t so tiny that I will be able to give back to the community! One of the things I hold dear to my heart, that I want to be my very first project is I would like to find someone who has served their country, either on American soil or foreign. In the ministry or on the front lines. Someone who has devoted their life to serving our God and I want to do something in a big big way for them! It all depends on where we are in our life, but I would love to buy a small house to fix up and just hand them the keys. I love working on homes, and I know I will love it even more when I can get my kids involved in it with me! It will be a family event! But this is a post for another day. : )
Today I want to talk about one of my smaller struggles. Let’s save the big ones for when I have more time, but we will get there, I promise! One of the smaller things I struggle with is building furniture vs buying antique/vintage pieces. I know this just sounds silly. I’m kinda laughing at myself right now! My grandma was always an inspiration to me and she loved a good antique find! It runs in our family. While I love nothing more than coming across the best find of the year, I also love building furniture with my own two hands.
I think my struggle is that people throw so much away that can still be used and I deep down I feel this obligation to sweep it all up and save it from a life of decomposition. Somebody else’s hands created something with passion, blood, sweat, and tears. And to just throw that to the curb is hard for me to deal with. I promise, I don’t stop and cry when I pass a landfill, I’m not a total looney ; )! So to me it almost feels a little weird to be building these things when there are so many things to be saved. But again, my super awesome Father has stepped in to hold me like a little baby and tell me everything is ok. What would we do without Him? I would be so lost and confused and probably crying at landfills!
As I look at my kids I realize that when I build furniture I am in possession of those hands burning with passion and exerting my blood, sweat, and tears into something for my family! I can only hope that should someone find one of my pieces of furniture on the side of the road that they will take it, love and restore it, and welcome it into their home. I am creating memories for not only my family, but families to come!
(DIY Crate Storage Unit) – built for my daughter
So I will still whip my car to the other side of the road and embarrassingly shove a perfectly good piece of furniture into the back of my van like a total creep-o! But I have learned to pass things up and build for myself. Who knows who will be driving down the road behind me filled with passion!
(Spring Mantel | Thrifted Piano and window frames)
At the end of the day. If you want to restore it, restore it. If you want to build it, build it! No matter what I do, I have realized that doing everything for the glory of our God is all he wants from us, and I choose to love Him in everything! And in this I have found more peace and more love than anything I could ever do on my own!
There is a quote from the movie Serendipity that I just love:
“You know the Greeks didn’t write obituaries, they only asked one question after a man died, ‘did he have passion?'”
I’m fairly certain that’s not true, but it is a beautiful thought! I want to be known to my family as having passion! So today go find your passion! : )
Have a beautiful day!
Loved this, Ashley! Had to smile about not knowing if someone with a passion is coming down the road behind you!:) Have a great rest of the week!
I am so glad you wrote about this. I agree that so many things are thrown away that can still be used in some sort of way. I like you enjoy using both sides of this coin and many people just don’t realize it. Thanks again!!
Awesome awesome awesome! Thank you SO much for all the helpful tips. Pinning for later. Have a fabulous day! xo
I LOVE this and I absolutely WISH I had your incredible talent for building things. I leave that to my husband but maybe someday we can hang out and you can teach me. :)
Anna
This was great! I would love to be able to makeover every piece I find, but sometimes it’s just not possible. Maybe it’s too broken up or I just don’t have the skills to do it. I think it is good to have both ways, just like you said. Thanks for sharing this with us! I am visiting from Whimsy Wednesday today.