Earlier this week, after I'd posted photos of the upholstered chairs that I'd painted, I wished I'd added a paragraph. Painting the chairs was a fun little DIY project, but it deserved some commentary on gratitude and hospitality.
You see, I hated those chairs for years. Back when I bought them, their mauve shade went perfectly with the floral couch (think: BIG CABBAGE ROSES) and the matching custom drapery that was all the rage in the early 1990's. But they fell out of fashion as the decade came to a close...and that's when I wanted to replace them.
Unfortunately, replacing them was not in the budget, so there they sat in my living room. They were such an eyesore to me that I did not even want people to come over. I hate to admit this, but they began to affect my hospitality.
Isn't that sad? I'm not proud of that.
It's hard to admit that something so material would keep me from inviting someone to my house. Even though I've always known that people are more important than things, when it came down to it, I let those chairs get to me.
When I finally faced this truth, and decided to be thankful for them anyway, I learned I could open my arms and welcome others into my home, no matter what.
True sanctuary is not about stuff...it's about love. A home is more than the things in it. It is in the gratitude and the warmth and acceptance of the people inside.
Sanctuary opens the doors and says, "welcome."
My mauve-turned-beige-turned blue chairs remind me to be grateful.
They remind me that creating a home sanctuary is about love....and maybe a little paint.
They remind me to say yes to hospitality.
How about you? Have you ever let material things ( or lack of them) keep you from being hospitable? Do you struggle with gratitude? I encourage you to say a prayer of thanksgiving for what you have today...and see what a difference it makes.
This is a post script, but I'm currently reading "Love the Home You Have," by Melissa Michaels of The Inspired Room.
I'm loving the inspiration to see my home through the eyes of gratitude and creativity. Each of us need a periodic boost to delight in the home that you already have, instead of wishing for something more. I'm enjoying every page that's filled with Melissa's ideas and outlook, and thought I'd take a minute to share it with you. It's well worth your time to put your feet up and savor reading. I challenge you not to get up and feel like rearranging or decluttering immediately! It's just what I've needed.