Why Not Make A Peaceful Retreat Within Your Home
by Susan Thom(42)http://onsuchthings.com
One of the most uplifting material things we can do for ourselves and our families, is to make our home feel comfortable, and reflective of the things we love and care about.
We can spend thousands of dollars and buy out some of the local stores, or we can use our heads, and reinvent the rooms with items we have hidden in other places.
One idea is to move knick knacks and pictures around to different rooms. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much more noticeable something is on the fireplace mantel, than in a corner of your bedroom.
We can declutter at the same time, and our home can reflect who we and our mate really are. A mixture of both interests throughout is a nice blend, and when we are surrounded by things that make us happy when we see them, it uplifts our mood.
I have found that too many things creates too much dust, and too many hours of cleaning. Since I've done enough of that for this lifetime, I am enjoying getting rid of things I no longer want, and keeping things more simple.
It's strange at first to see something on the mantel that was in the dining room, or something in the family room that was in the bedroom, but it is exciting and renewing to have rooms feel so cozy and comfortable.
As I walk into the dining room I am instantly hugged by all the things I love. My computer is there, and the table and chairs, and my desk is filled with all my favorite eye catchers.
Angel statues, cardinals, crystals, healing stones, pictures of family and friends,candles, and cards my aunt has sent me. I spend many hours a day in this room, and I have made it as soothing as possible.
My sitting room and bedroom are my favorite retreats. These rooms show how I feel about life and death and God and angels and spirits and family and my own feelings about everything I am interested in, as displayed in pictures and statues.
Once I open my door to my room, I know I am where I was always meant to be. I feel that it has always been sanctioned by God that I be here, raise my kids here, which I have, and keep this home accessible for the future.
The property outside is exquisite, with mountains in view in the front, and a lake in the back. At 52 years old, I can actually relax and take a nice boat ride, without worrying about kids falling out, or crying that they want to go back to the dock.
For a few dollars in change, I was able to get some wildflower seeds, and will be planting them within the next few days, all around the property. It will bright and cheerful, for all to enjoy.
I will be sharing the front porch swing with my partner, and looking out at all the beauty we appreciate so much. The beauty we helped create through hope, faith, and planning gardens or walkways, then carrying out our plans.
We can invision what something might look like, and then we create it, whether it is chimes hanging from the porch, or birdhouses in the middle of beautiful rose bushes, or gardens of beauty for all to see who pass by.
The whole inside and outside of our home is slowly getting little facelifts here and there, and it isn't costing a dime, which I don't have. The seeds were my only acquisition, and will come back every year.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted." [ Ecclesiastes 3:12]
I have been reborn. I am not dying, I am planting, and plucking up that which was planted long ago. I love seeing all the changes and rejoicing in the beauty that surrounds us. God has been good to me, and I will plant these flowers in His Honor.
Article submitted Thursday, April 30, 2009 & read 169 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Teresa (1 year 91 days ago.)
Hi Sue, this is an inspiring article. Each of us has to find what brings us true and lasting comfort - my prayer is that search leads all of us to the call of our Lord Jesus Christ in this lifetime.You know my heart cringes on the statues, crystals and healing stones though. Especially in light of what God says in the Bible :-) I do love the verse you quoted from Ecclesiastes :-) There is a lot of application in this short but powerful passage. May all the old muck continue to be plucked by the gentle hand of God. hugs, t.Respond to this comment
» left by Susan Thom(42) (1 year 91 days ago.)
hi t,i changed Ecclesiastes, thanks.i think the statues (without faces) simply remind me of Mary, and angels, and God, and everytime i walk by one, i have a spiritual thought, and i don't idolize them. God knows He's number one with me. and crystals were told to me to be simple energy, that exists, some positive, some negative, and i can believe that.i believe energy is everywhere. stop your heart from twinging, it's okay :)my best,sueRespond to this comment