This morning we stopped at Home Depot to get wood for my projects. As we were checking out, Karch said, “Uh-oh!” In his hand was a sliver of wood, about 6″ long and 1/4″ wide. He explained that it was loose, so he pulled it off one of my pieces of wood. He said it would give it more character. Gunner laughed and added, “Different better Mom.”
Over the weekend, Gun was at a friend’s house, so Karch and I did yard work. He blew off the driveway. Next thing I knew after he was done, he had gone to get the big broom and was sweeping the leaves all into one big pile. Thinking I could blow them into the pile, “I said, you don’t have to do that buddy.” He replied, “It will make it look better.” And then swept the leaves into one big pile.
The next morning as we pulled out of the driveway, I paused and Karch and I laughed when we noticed the driveway covered again with leaves. I guess it’s just that season!
Tonight I worked on burlap banners. I thought about how I was taking a perfectly great piece of material, and cutting it apart into little pieces.
Burlap is pretty cool, because if you pull on the end of a strand, that whole strand pulls out, and leaves behind a straight line to cut on. It’s pretty clear where to cut.
After I cut it into the right size pieces, I paint it, and stencil letters on it. After they dry, I try to find the perfect ribbon for the saying or the saying’s season. Then I hot glue it all together, cut off the stray burlap pieces and make sure I spelled everything correctly.
At first when I’m cutting up the burlap, I wonder if the finished product will be what I hope and envision. And when I finish, I admire(hopefully) how some cutting, painting, trimming, planning, and gluing make a finished product.
In fact I’ve been noticing that a lot as I upcycle recycled pieces. I admire what they can become. As I finish yardwork with my son, I admire what we did. Even if the leaves come flittering down again. I admire their purpose. Their season. Different. Sometimes better.
I think in my own life there have been plenty of times I’ve needed some upcycling. Some trimming. Some cutting. And times where I didn’t see I needed it. But He did. Because He knew what I could become. With a little paint. Some planning. A bit of glue. And maybe a fancy ribbon.
We all have different places that He takes our burlap and cuts it into pieces. He always knows what He is creating. Knows who He desires for us to be. He is always Upcycling us, into His.
As I go into my bazaar season, I think…I am one girl. One broken, simple girl. Who has taken wood. Burlap. Windows. Doors. And made them into art.
And so much more than my art, I am grateful that my great God can take each of us. And make us His perfections. His art. His creations of love, redeemed by grace. Upcycled by a worthy King. Made Holy. And adored.
We are His different better.
You. Are. His. Different. Better. Always better. Upcycled. And adored.
Reblogged this on From Old to Gold and commented:
Love this 🙂
Thank you~