Somewhere beneath the piles – paper flowers, dusty estate sale trinkets, granny’s hankies, mounds of junk jewelry, musty trunks, too many pieces of dark furniture and odds and ends patiently waiting to be chalk painted – you’ll find me.
I’ll be the one looking harried, covered in glue, some ink and a whole lot of sanding dust. And come to think of it, somewhere in the stacks of cast off things waiting to be remade may be where my words have been hiding as well.
{Hey there, I’ve missed y’all!)
With the Lakeside Vintage Market looming just around the corner on October 15th (!) the sight of my ever growing to-do list has rendered me mute {online and a little bit in person…} and makes me want to run for the hills.
{Which wouldn’t be a bad scene this time of year.}
Before I went stir crazy, I hauled all my ‘treasures’ outside on the porch, battled the kittens and breathed in fresh air. And suddenly I saw things in a different light. Creativity flowed and a story formed…
Finalizing designs, picking paint shades and tweaking displays revealed how I’m drawn to the same colors over and over.
Like the fiery neon orange of my favorite tree. Last year I was so busy rushing and running I missed the whole show save for a few splotchy burnt umber clusters of leaves near the end. Though it’s only the beginning of it’s glorious transition, it reminds me to slow down and savor the season.
And pink, like these hilarious pink sheep. Lest you think your eyes are deceiving you there’s a farmer in Scotland that really did dye his white sheep fuchsia just for the joy of it.
For a long time I carried that picture as a screen saver on my phone reminding me to have fun and live a different, set-apart life worthy of my quirky calling.
And turquoise. In the 15 square mile radius I frequent there are no less than three house wearing turquoise doors, one with teal Adirondack chairs and several porches brimming with accessories in my favorite shade of blue-ish green.
A few months back, we welcomed worship rehearsal to our living room and our bass singer friend exclaimed how my Grandmother’s hand-me-down aqua chair was the spitting image of one his mother once owned.
These vintage blue shades signify renewal to me as I see them enjoying a revival today. Everything old can be made new again in the right hands.
And I wondered what color my words were lately? Because in the depths of feeling overwhelmed by my ever growing lists and responsibilities, I don’t always use them as artfully as I would like. Instead, on hard days, they cast broad strokes of the same tired grey, brown and blacks of this rotten world- not in any way light, airy and life giving like the inspiration my eyes are drawn to all around me.
Contrary to popular belief, silence is not always golden.
Sure, to hold our tongues is better than to cast an unflattering tone on any situation, but there comes a time we have to decide to open our mouths with positive intention to point to His promises.
God continued, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and everything living around you and everyone living after you. I’m putting my rainbow in the clouds, a sign of the covenant between me and the Earth. From now on, when I form a cloud over the Earth and the rainbow appears in the cloud, I’ll remember my covenant between me and you and everything living, that never again will floodwaters destroy all life. When the rainbow appears in the cloud, I’ll see it and remember the eternal covenant between God and everything living, every last living creature on Earth. ~ Genesis 9:12-16 The Message
What we say paints a picture of what we see and what we choose to see colors what we say.
We are invited to see God in everything. But do we?
If we do, it’s much easier to proclaim blessings and not curses. And on the flip side if we commit to only speaking edifying and encouraging things about people and situations there we’ll find God.
Our words can cause things to bloom and flourish, accent any situation with pops of color and burst with richness when they’re saturated in the deep abiding love of Jesus.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. ~Proverbs 25:11
When we speak out loud, golden words like hope and joy, there we’ll find peace.
I found this to be true in my prayer life. I was praying silently and writing my prayers out but missing the benefit of audibly talking to God.
Getting outside our own head and giving breath and life to our prayers- space for His words to live and move and be activated- somehow makes it a tad easier to discern between the truth and the lies.
And oh how the biggest lies we tend to believe originate right between our two ears…
And when we don’t know what to say or pray, we can start with Psalms of praise like this one.
Don’t just read it in your head, but say it out loud – not that God hears it any better, but we do.
Through our exchanges with God, He sets the tone- the shade of everything else that proceeds from our mouths.
Father your words created life, may mine never fail to proclaim the same. Let your words fill me, overflow as my own and color all my thoughts and actions. Open my eyes to the greater purpose around me- to see your glorious color in everything and never fail share it. In the middle of the mess may I find your words written in red shining as the treasure in it all.
♥
P.S. What’s your favorite color? Is your prayer life dull and in need of polishing? Are you seeing God’s promises {rainbows!!} all around you?
Click here to receive more beauty in your inbox and get in on the conversation! {Plus I’ll send you a set of printable scripture cards- so handy when you don’t know what to pray!} It’s my pleasure to create connection, community and sometimes cute stuff for you and I’m so glad you’re here!
Linking up with these lovely blogs below!
recollecteddesign.com 
Heather, this is my favorite time of the year, when Fall colors break out. My senses are alive. Can’t wait to take some great pics.
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It’s mine too Debbie! I hope your pictures turn out beautifully! Thanks for stopping by!
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I missed you, friend!!!! I love this post! You are so right that we have to get outside of ourselves. I think that is why it has been helping me to get outside, even when there is more that could be done here ____ here _____ or here _____. When I start to strive, I start to compare, etc and God has really helped me to shut that down and hit the restart.
“What we say paints a picture of what we see and what we choose to see colors what we say.” – Amen. Sharing this today!!
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Hey there! I’ve been peeking in on your site redesign in the middle of my writer’s block– and I love it! I just read an applicable quote for both of us: “Everything will work again if you unplug it- even people” 🙂 Thanks for your encouraging words as always friend! xoxo
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Heather,
Nice to hear from you again! 🙂 Love the graphic word treatment about being creative! So true that our words paint a picture and I wish mine were always lovely ones but so often they aren’t. But I’m so grateful HIS words are! So much life and creativity and beauty in them if we do steep ourselves in them.
I’m so glad creativity is swirling around you for your upcoming show and I’m so glad you’re doing it! It’s so good for the soul and I know it’s going to be a fabulous experience. Hoping you find time to enjoy autumn’s colors and scents as we celebrate this first weekend in October! xoxox
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I know…loong time, no write..! I finally feel like myself again! Girl you’re so not alone in the pretty word struggle! Thank goodness for lots of examples in His word and especially for grace. Thanks for your encouragement on the show! Just praying for the weather to be merciful (we’ve had waaaay too much rain the past 2 weeks…) Hoping this Autumn will be good to you my dear! xxooxxoo
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Welcome back! It’s true. When I read Gods words out loud it helps me hear Him better. I’ll insta your favorite tree. I love Fall –now don’t worry about your projects. The important ones will get done. Praying you make a killing and a new friend or two.
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Thanks for the IG/FB shares dear Sue! Yes ma’am, I’m gonna leave it in HIS hands– he’s the great creator and knows better anyway! Thanks for the prayers as always. Hope you are well, friend! 🙂
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Hi Heather … it’s good to see you again … and don’t you love sanding something old and wonderful, finding the original paint that lays dormant, just waiting to be discovered?
Kinda like what He does in our lives, getting down to the beauty of who we are because of Him …
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What a lovely example! Yep sometimes our ‘sanding’ is painful– but oh so worth it! Thanks for being here Linda 🙂
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Knew those words would arrive at exactly the right time Heather. Just beautiful and such a timely reminder for me what a difference a change of perspective, some fresh air or a different light can make in our outlook and in our work – especially the work of creating. And colour, goodness it has a way of speaking to us doesn’t it. Your words reminded me beautiful colours are like a message from God, a reminder of His presence and all around us, everyday. Spring and autumn there is such an abundance of amazing colour like love notes everywhere, God at our finger tips. I know in certain seasons I’ll find myself drawn to a certain colour over and over again as you mention like something about it is speaking to us and feeding our soul. My forever colour I know is green (all varieties of it) with blue close by, the colour of grass and sky. Love the analogy you draw to the colour of our words and what picture we paint with them – do they reflect God? A beautiful Psalm and yes I read it out loud cause my churned up heart needed to hear it. Your words have painted some beautiful colours today Heather – done my heart a whole lotta good. Heading out into the fresh air myself now. I know your market small will be beautiful. xxx (Another essay – sorry !!)
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Aww, Tracey, no apologies necessary! I’m always humbled and touched to read your gracious thoughtful comments– they bring a smile to my face and since I tend to favor a good long letter over shorter modern texting/email conversations – I feel like your sweet comments are just like that long lost communication that we miss sometimes these days 🙂 I love your allusion to God’s colors as love notes everywhere!! (I think color is one of my love languages…haha!) I’m smitten with the color of the horizon and the land this time of year- so vibrant! And I’m glad to hear you turned up the volume on the Psalm : ) I hope it covered your heart in peace. Prayers for you friend! And thanks for the good wishes on the upcoming show! xoxo P.S… did y’all name the bird yet?!?!? 😉 LOL
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Hilarious. I read your suggestions to Olivia and —— Chico it is.!! Suits him perfectly.
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LOL! Awesome choice Oliva! (That was my fave too…!)
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Sorry my friend I meant market “stall” not market small. Predictive text does my head in.
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Oh…those lies that originate between our ears. I hate those lies!!! That’s when I have to ask myself what’s real and true – and you are so right, speaking God’s word over those lies simply defeats them. I love your quirky gift and without it, this world would be far too gray. And…that secretaries desk in your living room is the spitting image of one that was in my childhood home! 🙂 Love your words and thank you for writing them – and for visiting me today. Hope you took advantage of the giveaway, you awesome creative you!
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Too funny! It seems I have everybody’s throwback furniture! Come back anytime dear Tiffany and make yourself at home! lol! Thanks for your sweet comment and for always speaking God’s truth in everything you write ♥
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Beutifully written!
My favorite color is pink. Luv the pink sheep! 🙂
I am quiet by nature, so I have to remind myself to speak outloud to God. It’s so good when I do.
Thanks for the encouragement.
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Yes! Sometimes I have to pray for God to unseal my lips so that I can praise Him. Amen! I’m glad the pink sheep made you smile and thanks for stopping by!
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Our words really do paint pictures. Thanks for the reminder.
I also love color and painted my front door bright shiny orange. It makes me smile every day.
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Ohhh orange! Love it!! I have a neighbor that painted theirs a sunny happy yellow- and they have a car to match! Thanks so much for visiting and taking the time to comment Theresa! ♥
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