I first published this here in April 2008. I want to share it again with my new readers.Have you "graced your space" today?
Women sometimes fall into a rut when it comes to their homes and families. Boredom can bring on a lackluster attitude as we plod along day after day performing the same mundane routine from morning until night. We cook, clean, taxi the kids from activity to activity.....well, you know the drill. But how often do we relax and survey the space we call home? How often do we actually enjoy our dwelling place, our nice accessories and the comfort and peace they offer?
I once knew a lady who had the propensity to safeguard her precious belongings. Her nicest bedding, linen, china, stemware, vases, jewelry, lingerie, etc. were placed safely away for later use. She worried that something might be broken or stained or lost. It was not that she wasn't going to use her fine accouterments....it was just that they were not going to be used today. Today turned into tomorrow and tomorrow turned into next month. Next month turned into next year and so forth until she died in her late sixties. She never experienced the joy and beauty of enjoying those cherished items. She only admired them occasionally as they lay in a drawer or hung in her closet.
Don't wait for tomorrow. Don't wait for company. Today bring out the beautiful linens, albums, quilts, candles, crystal goblets and china. Have each member of the family dress elegantly for dinner (at least one night each week). Eat slowly by candlelight while listening to classical music. Engage in interesting and civil conversation. Practice correct table manners. Enjoy good wine. Say "please" and "thank you". Encourage your family to appreciate and practice gracious living.
Today we can bring harmony and serenity to our home through appreciating one another and sharing our personal luxuries.
Live graciously, love abundantly and enjoy the blessings God has given.
20 comments:
Love it. Its so true too. Things are just things. Enjoy them!
Heather- Hope you're enjoying your "space".
Breaks my heart. Your post today is a wonderful reminder. I so wish my mom hadn't "saved" all her things for later. With brain cancer, who knows when "later" is? Thanks for sharing your treasures here with us.
Angie- Now's the time to enjoy EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL. We have no promise of tomorrow. Blessings.
Oh Barbara - I learned this a while back when my grandmother died. Her dresser drawers were full of birthday cards with money, pretty slips, pretty blouses, ect and she never used it. We had enoug money to purchase her headstone and pay cash for it from the envelopes.
I try to use nice things for us at least once a week. Bob would laugh at dressing but he tolerates the rest. He likes me to use our nice things.
Lea- That's so sad about your grandmother. I'm afraid it happens to a lot of people. I'm glad to hear, though, that you enjoy life.
I'm going to keep that in mind as I'm packing to move to my new house. I'm going to try to get rid of stuff that I know I'm not going to use.
Daydreams- Remember to keep all the pretty stuff out to use frequently. Blessings with your new house.
A year ago, my mom gave me her good silver--silver we used only for holidays. I wish I could have used it earlier cause my daughter no longer lives near us BUT-- I pull it out for ALL my company!
Terri- I only have a few things from my mother's estate...your silver sounds nice. I'm glad to hear you're using and appreciating it.
Barbara, this is a lovely piece, so nicely written. Have you tried publishing it anywhere - locally, online journal? It has timeless advice we need to be reminded of, and would be enjoyed by many!
Joanne- I haven't tried publishing it. Life's been too busy in the past year. Perhaps, this year. Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Barbara, this is just a beautiful entry. Thanks for reposting it.
Janna- Thank you!
Thank you for the reminder ... some things need to be said more than once!
Small Footprints
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Footprints- Thanks for dropping by!
Barbara this is beautiful, thank you for sharing it. I have my mother's china and silver and I rarely use either. I think I'll start pulling them out more often. I love the phrase "grace your space".
Linda- I'm so happy that you are thinking of pulling out the beautiful china and silver. There's a special feeling it all brings to the table and makes what would have been only common, elegant.
What a beautiful reminder! I needed that part about God is Love. I got very angry at someone last night and did not have an ounce of love in my whole body. I need to read your post to remind myself that I need to look at that person and remember that God loves and I need to look with the eyes of God so that love will return to MY heart and I can love with His love--especially when I am angry and hurt. Mercy! Sometimes life is HARD and I need His help with the hard parts--and His love, too!
Pat- My impression of you is one of a loving, caring lady. I'm sure that last night was just a little bump in the road. Blessings.
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