My primitive pick for this week is... (drum roll, please)
Dish Towels
Yes, you read that correctly. Dish towels are an easy way to add a little bit of seasonal decor to your kitchen. I often have a hard time finding ways to include my kitchen in my holiday and seasonal decorating throughout the year. Counter space is always taken up by cooking and baking supplies, and most of my wall space is covered with cupboards and appliances. So how do you bring a little spring, Christmas, Thanksgiving, fall, etc. into your kitchen?
Here are two options that I have in my house.
This is a dish towel that I have hanging off my cupboard to the left of my sink on an antique dish towel rack. It was a wonderful Christmas gift from my mom, so I'm not sure where you can find these.
This was a house-warming gift from my husband's parents and it goes great in my kitchen/dining room area. I'm privileged to have so many people around me who share my taste in decor!
In my home, these two towels are "for decorative use only" (which is quite the joke in our family, since my husband and father never seem to know what towel they can dry their hands on - whether at my house or my parents!). I do have some that are regular hand / dish drying towels. So even if the only spot for a nice dish towel like this is hanging from the oven door, refrigerator handle, or cabinet door, it's still festively brightening up an otherwise undecorated area of your home. Dish towels like these can be found in a number of places (and for a variety of prices) such as: Wal-Mart, Target, TJ Maxx, Christmas Tree Shops, Home Goods, and other specialty home decor stores.
I am not a “Type A” personality.My husband can vouch for this, but to prove it to myself, I went and took an online test to have some more substantial evidence.I say all of this and yet, I do have some “Type A” tendencies (which I mostly blame my husband for since I don’t recall having these characteristics before meeting him).Although I do not feel the need to have a strict schedule that I uphold, I thrive on routine and consistency.As much as I may work at keeping my family and household on a steady rhythm of grocery shopping, Bible study, nap times, meal preparation, cleaning up, organizing, and bed times, we live in an ever-changing world of inconsistencies and foul-ups – in other words… sin.
This week, I had the chance to go visit with some friends that are very near and dear to my heart.They were a major part of my life for almost 3 years when I was a newlywed and rookie teacher.Although we don’t live all that far away from each other, we don’t see one another on a regular basis.So, I cherish the times we have together.On this recent visit with a friend who is battling serious difficulties with his health, my mind reflected back on those early days of teaching: bulletin boards, teacher’s meetings, and parent/teacher conferences.I also thought about the highs and lows of Andy’s seminary days.
On my drive home (with a sleeping toddler in the back seat) I was considering some of the different seasons of my life and was amazed that with each one I had a vivid memory of a great blessing or accomplishment along with a memory of a particular hardship I had gone through:
I had perfect attendance in Kindergarten (the only year I ever accomplished this), and it was immediately followed (approximately a week after school let out) with coming down with the chicken pox – which I kindly passed on to my sister. J
At 16, I said a final good-bye to my grandfather after a long battle with cancer, and about 3 days later I passed my driver’s test and received my license.
Before leaving for my first year of college, a great uncle that I was very close to offered to significantly help me with the remainder of my tuition costs – and did.Several months later (before I completed that school year), he passed away.
Less than 2 months away from giving birth to my son, the principal of the school I was teaching at (and my co-teacher in the middle school) was diagnosed with cancer and went through surgery 2 weeks before we welcomed our little one to our life.
After graduating from seminary, my husband was called as pastor at the church we are now at (a huge blessing!).A month later our closest friends moved a long distance away from us.
On the day that very good friends of ours had their first child, my husband’s grandmother passed away.
As I recalled these moments of my life, my mind immediately went to that well-known passage of Scripture in Ecclesiastes:
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
What do workers gain from their toil?I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has
made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom
what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be
happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all
their toil—this is the gift of God.I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be
added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.“
Ecclesiastes 3:1-14
So many moments like these come to mind - each with a varying level of seriousness to it.Thankfully, I can look back on several of them and even laugh a little at the circumstances that took place.
I will be turning 27 years old in August, so I can’t say that I’ve had a ton of “seasons” in my life yet.Thankfully, I can also say that God has protected me and my family from major tragedy.He has been good to me and my family… more than I deserve.
I could, however, look at each of these situations in my life and react in fear (What’s going to happen next?).Or I can look at these portions of my life and see hope.This is more than just the proverbial “silver-lining” that all of the optimists of the world demand we search for.God is our hope and peace in the midst of life’s storms, the one who we should “take refuge in” as Psalm 34 states.
So what have I learned in my 27 years of life’s ups and downs – in the midst of love and loss, sickness and health, life and death?
Despite my own attempts to create routine in my life, we live in a world of chaos.God is attributed with order, peace, and perfection.My hope is in Him.
God always keeps his promises.He’s the definition of consistency.Scripture is full of God’s promises to “never leave (me) nor forsake (me)” (Deut. 31:6, Josh. 1:5, Heb. 13:5 – just to name a few).
My response should always be the same: faith, hope, and love.My faith is in God, my holy and loving creator.My hope is in Jesus Christ, the perfect substitute for my sin, who fulfilled God’s standard perfectly – something I could never do.My response of repentance and faith should be lived out in love for God and others – despite my own circumstances.
Good things and bad things are going to happen in life – that’s the way it’s been, and that’s the way it’s going to be.God is above all things.He’s there when we struggle and when we celebrate.God is still God, no matter what takes place around me or to me.I’m forever grateful for all that God has done in my life and I don’t dread the days ahead, but rather eagerly await all that He will be teaching me about himself.
“Praise the LORD, you his servants;
praise the name of the LORD.
Let the name of the LORD be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the LORD is to be praised.
The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the LORD our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes,
with the princes of his people.
He settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
It’s been a busy few weeks for our little family, but, as I was saying to a friend this week, I don’t mind being busy when I’m busy with blessings.Blogging was the thing to set aside while in the midst of a week of three long day trips and a visit from my mom for a few days.
We had a lot of fun traveling to see my brother playing in his state basketball tournament.They won on Monday, but lost on Thursday.They played very well and we had lots of fun.The cherry on top was that Jadon was great!He sat through multiple basketball games (during nap times and bed times) without any major meltdowns!He even snoozed during a couple of games!
We were privileged to have my mom come to visit for a few days (between basketball games).We had lots of fun shopping, eating ice cream, looking at furniture, scrapbooking (me), preparing taxes (her), playing with Jadon, talking, and laughing really hard about things that most people wouldn’t find all that funny.
No joke... I've always said, "Thin mints make you thin." Unfortunately, thanks to my mom, we indulged in this Christmas Tree Shops find a little too much. I, therefore, have no comment as to what thick mints make you!
Whereas last week was full of unusual busyness, this week has been back to the normal kind of busyness: grocery shopping, Bible study, play dates, babysitting, and planning for upcoming events.It may not sound all that normal to others, but it is to me! – and each event is a blessing… yes, even grocery shopping on an unusually tight budget can be a blessing because it’s a reminder of God’s constant provision.
So, whether your week was normal or unusual, I hope how you lived was a blessing to you and others.Have a great weekend!
~ Carrie ~
Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!
My sould years, even faiths, for the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young –
a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, LORD God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.
Look on our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.
An incredible story of love, acceptance of what God allows us to go through, and commitment to God. There is a second video that I have linked at the end that is a follow up to this video. Even if you're not an emotional person, you may want to have a tissue or two nearby.
Follow up video of Zac's wife: http://vimeo.com/19644172
My Primitive Pick this week is a little different from prior weeks because it's something that I don't have much of! It's also something that I've wanted to try my hand at for quite some time, but have never sat down to try it. Maybe someday soon! And you can be sure I'll be blogging about it when I do! So, enough keeping you hanging... My primitive pick for this week is...
Primitive Stitchery
I only have a couple of things around my house that have some kind of primitive stitchery on them, so the following pictures are from a few web sites that check out from time to time. I'll be sure to list the web sites at the end, in case you want to check them out. If anyone out there has tried their hand at this craft and would like to give me some pointers I would certainly welcome them! For now, here are some examples of primitive stitchery that I really like. Enjoy!
"Families are like quilts - Lives pieced together, stitched with smiles and tears, Colored with memories, And held together with love."
State pillow - great for around the Fourth of July
"Believe: Live like you mean it"
This pillow is customizable. You can have your own "snow" family stitched on this pillow. The bottom reads, "In the meadow we can build a snow family."
"Having someplace to go is home. Having someone to love is family. Having both is a blessing."
"Some of life's greatest treasures are just the little things."
I took a brief, unexpected vacation last week to spend some time with family. We had lots of fun, which I'm sure I'll share a little about later in the week. But for now, I'm back with another Monday Meditation that I hope you'll be encouraged by at the start of this new week.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and ask whether you ever sit and contemplate words or phrases.Now, you may be saying to yourself, “Wow… She must be really bored,” or, “I’m so busy, I don’t have time to contemplate anything!”Please, don’t get me wrong.This isn’t something I often do, but I confess to analyzing my perspective on particular words or phrases from time to time.If you have no idea what I’m referring to then please hang with me here and you will hopefully understand.
The word that I was recently contemplating was “cling”.I don’t know about you, but when I think about the word “cling,” not only do many words come to mind, but also many visuals.I see a rock climber hanging for dear life, uncertain where the next foothold is or if he can find the strength to pull himself to the top.Or, on an entirely different note, a woman with an incredibly staticky skirt, or a child who’s hair is standing on end after rubbing a balloon all over her head.
Very different, very strange perspectives on the word “cling”.What do you think of?
My mind clung (hehe) to this word “cling” this morning as my husband used the word several times in his sermon this morning.(Yes, I can blame him for all of this.)Over the past several months I’ve wrestled with a particular “God-concept” (I can’t think of any other way to describe it).He is good.He is all-knowing.He is loving.Praise be to Him.Where would I be were it not for his goodness, knowledge, and love?My struggle, however, concerns how we are to handle when God says no to what we believe are good things.
A 30-year old woman has never been married and desires a godly husband.God chooses not to provide.
A married couple prays that God will provide them with a baby, and He doesn’t.
A recent Bible school graduate surrenders himself to God as a missionary to a foreign country, and the finances never come through.A closed door.
It’s easy to see how each of these situations is distressing, each in its own way.What do you do when God says no, not now.Unfortunately, the desire does not vanish into thin air not to be given another thought.It stays with us.So, what do we do with it?
I trust God in his timing and believe that He is still all that He says He is, even when the answer is no.But why can’t I let it go?Enter in Sunday morning and the words that God gave to my husband, “What are you clinging to?”Am I clinging to a husband, a baby, a mission?Or am I clinging to the cross?It’s time to let go of all these “good things” and cling to the Great Savior who died for me because of my sinfulness.What greater thing could I desire?Paul says, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”(1 Cor. 2:2)No matter the circumstances in my life, I can still say that God is still God and I will praise him for that.I will cling to the beautiful, terrible cross.What are you clinging to?
I cling to the cross and everything it means
I know it's the only hope there is for saving me
For without Your great mercy
I would be forever lost
With a thankful heart I come and cling to the cross
