My kitchen table is a little like me.

It started out new and fresh. But, then you live a little and before you know it you’re covered in scratches and permanent stains.

At one point, I got so sick of seeing the mess that I hid the table and chairs in the garage. There, I said, “it can be used as a junky garage table, that’s all it’s good for now. It’s too damaged to be of any use.”

Or so I thought.

Much the way Jesus took my messy, scratched up life and removed the permanent stains with His amazing grace – we moved from California to Indiana and I started looking a little differently at my table and chairs. Maybe it isn’t so bad? Perhaps we can still use it? It does have “good bones”?  My husband pointed out that it’s paid for.

I got excited. Wouldn’t it be fun to breathe new life into this once ugly table? I know those sharpie marks serve as a constant reminder to me of when my precious children were toddlers, but nobody else gets weepy when looking at them.

“I’m gonna paint it”, I decreed. So I did. It took a few weeks.

I love it now!!!!

Renewed table and chairs.

Funny thing, I used to hate looking at this table, but now I love it. It’s colorful and happy. I smile whenever I pass it or sit down because only I know the mess that’s underneath that paint.

And it doesn’t stop the table from being useful and bringing me joy.

That’s how Christ sees us.

He can take anything and renew and repurpose it.

He makes us beautiful and useful regardless of our past damage or permanent stains. He never sees an ugly, useless table only a beautiful creation that needs a little paint.

He reaches for His paint brush.

It’s an amazing color. It goes on red but soon dries to reveal a flawless white.

Like I said, I’m a little like my kitchen table. How about you?

Painted two of the four chairs in Country Living Paint - Mustard

Painted two of the four chairs in Country Living Paint – Mustard

Painted two of the four chairs in Country Living Paint- Bayberry

Painted two of the four chairs in Country Living Paint- Bayberry

Once done with paint they moved on to sharpies.

Once done with paint they moved on to sharpies.

Till the next time,

Julie B.