Life after the trash heap...

I love the idea of salvaging, repurposing and refinishing furniture.

My earliest memory of this process was a hall/foyer table of my great grandmothers that my mother inherited. When she acquired it, the table was covered with layers of thick lacquer paint. I believe the top layer was a green typical of the 1960’s decor.

My mother applied, with great patience and care, paint remover, and I saw globs of goop come off to reveal actual wood hidden beneath. After that she sanded the piece smooth and applied a clear finish to it. The beauty of the original wood came through and, although it took much time and effort, it was worth it. This table is by far one of my favorite pieces in Mom’s home.

I have so many pieces of furniture in my own home awaiting their “transformation.” I love them, although to most people they appear “junk.”

I think I love their potential.

With the right accoutrements, each piece can (and in my mind eventually will) be beautiful and functional again.

I love how God does the same thing with my life. He formed me in the beginning with a specific and unique structure. He “(knew) the plans He (had) for me.” Through my inborn sin nature and rebellious choices I have made, I became beaten and worn by things and people that promised tender care. I have attempted to “cover” myself in colors and materials that aren’t really very becoming. But God looks at me and says, “I still see something very beautiful in her.”

So, when I don’t fight it and I yield to His compassionate hands, He can do what He does best, repair and purpose (I didn’t misprint, He always has a purpose). I don’t have to try to be something I’m not or be ashamed that He made me a “chair” and not a “desk.” I am valuable as a “chair” in His Kingdom. He wants to put me back into commission without the tacky lacquer that I’ve smeared all over, but with the original brilliance that He created.  I love that He has salvaged me and is patiently and carefully working through the goop.

What was that old Sunday School song?
“God’s still workin’ on me.
Makin’ me what I ought to be….”

Or in the words of Paul,
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect.”
1 Cor. 15:10a