OK, I know this is an artists blog; But since I moved to Florida this year and still do not have my art studio up and functional, I needed to do something with my creative Juices.
So my project for the last couple of weeks has been remodeling and enlarging our new kitchen. Part of this was finding cabinets to house the needed and precious items that we have carried across the nation with us-the things that make a kitchen not only functional, but also make it the center of our home.
I’m an artist and I have never liked “fitting in” and doing everything the way everyone else does it: not in my art, and not in really any other aspect of my life, LOL! Cookie Cutter Kitchens are beautiful but they look like a store show room- not like my home. So, of course, my mind automatically went into overdrive.
When we first moved into our new home I saw this tall rustic cabinet in my son’s garage that he had just been stacking tools on. One day he moved it to the side as something he was not going to use anymore. I told him right away that I would love to have this awesome cabinet in my kitchen. And he was so gracious, and said , “OK! it’s all yours.”
It’s clear to me that she was created to be very practical. She was never a beauty and I’m sure when she stood among all the other cabinets she probably felt very simple, plain, and maybe even ugly. This cabinet was built very sturdy but she is tall and thin, a little awkward on her feet, and could be pushed over easily. She was stained carefully once upon a time. Now she stood before me scared with chips and dents, with random paint drops, and even a stained ring on her from where someone in her life had carelessly placed a can of dripping wood stain or oil. I will never know, she will probably never forget.
Who knows what she was originally created for? – maybe a book case, or a place to hold canned goods. What ever it was, I think she must have lost her balance a few times and fell. I suspect that she has even been pushed around a few times and even discarded a time or two. She has big chunks missing around her edges as proof of her mistreatment and being taken advantage of. Poor girl!
I’m sure most people would have sanded her down , softening out all the ruff edges, and removing the stains only to re-stain her or paint her – covering up her flaws and making her look new.
BUT NOT ME! I fell in love with her because of her scars and the story this cabinet could tell.
I wanted her to know that I was sorry for the way life had treated her. I wanted to take careful, delicate time with her, reassuring her that I loved her, and admired how bravely she had held up thru the years. She clearly has been a trustworthy and faithful servant. So I wanted to offer her a redemption story to add to her list of stories: honoring her past with a testimony.
I put a beautiful new dress on her but I did not cover up her scars; for doing so would be disrespectful I think. Instead, I varnished her serving arms that had carried the weight of the world so that her scars would now be her crowning glory.
She still needs one more coat of paint and varnish to protect her. Then She will stand proud with the other cabinets and she will be cherished. She will now serve with a smile as a barista in my new Coffee station. Her future is looking very bright.
Something to think about, RIGHT? Are you feeling taken for granted? Are you scared and stained, dusty and forgotten? Maybe you are even feeling useless, ugly and discarded.
Please know that your Redeemer sees you as a beautiful creation! : one that He Loves and Cherishes. Allow Him to spend time cleaning your wounds and whispering to you through His Holy word. He will truly make you into a new creation. And even more amazing: He will be proud to have you stand before him serving others with your redemption story; for you are Fearfully and wonderfully made!
PSALM 139:14 -18
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.
Jackie Little Miller Fine Art 