In this episode we talk about identity and what really defines who we are. Lyn also shares a little bit about a time in her life when she was broken and hurting and caught up in believing that she would never be more than her past. So many of us can relate to that, right??? We chat about some of the pitfalls of believing the lies and the power of believing the truth.
And our design chat is on how to make your house a home. Because we’ve all walked into those homes that are super cozy and comfy… and well, who doesn’t want that feel for their own?! We give some practical tips to help you cozy up your space.
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LINKS TO THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT
Good Good Father – by Chris Tomlin
Intro Episode #1 where we talk about “owning” how God made us
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IDENTITY… Have you ever given it any thought?
Like, who are you, really? Who am I? And how do we see ourselves?
Is it thru the lens of our accomplishments, our jobs, or the things that we think are good about us?
Is it thru the lens of our failures and our past hurts?
Or do we see ourselves thru the lens of the people around us? Who they think we are?
What we’ve come to realize is that when we look at ourselves thru anything other than the lens of our creator { the one who made us and loves us }… we get let down. People and circumstances are imperfect and inconsistent at best.
Instead, let’s go to the one who made us and fully knows us to find our fulfillment and identity. Who does HE say we are?
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1
“I have engraved you on the palms of my hand. You are mine.” Isaiah 49:16
When people call us by name, it means they know who we are, right? It’s the same with God. But when God calls our names, He knows us fully. All the ugly and messy parts and the parts we hide. He sees them and still… he calls us by our names and even goes so far as to write them in the palm of his hand. ? Wow.
God doesn’t address us and say ‘come, all you, whoever you are’. He calls us by name; it’s personal. And that’s kind of a big deal.
“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:4-8
We are adopted into his family and called by his name. HIS family name. We are seen and known and our identity is wrapped up in Him!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Cor 5:17
Our old names, the ones we used to answer to…the ones we thought defined us…they’re gone. Wiped away. They no longer have power or claim over us. I don’t know about you, but for me, that’s freedom right there. In Christ we are made new and we are HIS. We bear his holy, perfect name.
THAT is who God says we are.
Chosen-Loved-Adopted-Set apart-Daughters of the Most High … !
So just like Lyn shared…we’re no longer just damaged goods. And the ugly things about ourselves that we used to have to hide, now those are the very things that God wants to use to redeem and use to reveal himself thru us.
Crazy good, right?
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Design Chat: Making Your House a Home
Have you even been to someone’s house and just loved the atmosphere and feel but have no idea how they did it??? Here are a few tips to help you cozy up your house:
#1 Love what you have!!!!
- Look around and find ways to capitalize on what things you have. If you don’t have art, consider making something “artsy” by writing a verse on or phrase on something you love. I have happen to love wood…so I put my favorite verse on a few chunks of wood.
- Re-think some of the things you have. Maybe use a kitchen cloche in the living room to display a decor item.
#2 Go one room at a time….so you’re not overwhelmed…and SIMPLIFY.
- Minimize by picking a few spots you really want to accent. Not every corner needs to be filled!
- You also don’t need to have ALL your decor items out, just because you own them. ! Store some away, and bring them out from time to time. It’s a great way to keep things interesting and feeling new.
- You don’t want everything to “match”. Take some risks and don’t shop for everything at one store. Mix it up!
#3 Incorporate fresh flowers and plants.
- Fresh flowers give life and breath to a space! It seems pointless, but it’s not. A little detail like this adds a lot.
- And you don’t have to spend lots of money. Just head out to your yard and see what you can find.
- Even weeds or hosta leaves or twigs!!! Oh how we love to use weeds and twigs.
#4 Vignettes are your friend.
- Create little groupings of decor. Odd numbers usually work best and will be easier to balance…like 3’s, 5’s or even just 1.
- These could be groupings by theme, color, or even by material…(meaning like items, like all glass, etc)
- Stacks of books. Remove the dust jackets. Expose the beautiful book ends. Books are great in vignettes!
- Vary heights and sizes of objects. This helps create movement and keep your grouping interesting and balanced.
- Trays are also great for vignettes. They keep it all pulled together and grounded. Somehow all of these little items “belong” together since they’re on the tray.
#5 Use things you LOVE.
- If you don’t love it, get rid of it!
- Maybe you have an old dish or frame your grandma gave you…something like that is perfect to use as an accent.
- They key is not using ALL of the old dishes!!! It’s tempting, I know. But just pick one or two and use them thoughtfully. Less is more. REALLY.
#6 Display things that have a story or meaning.
- Maybe it’s something you found at a garage sale or re-worked somehow. These are the types of things that help you love your rooms and give you a little ownership in your space.
- This is Lyn’s old dresser from when she was little. She’s using it in her dining room for storage and display.
#7 Invite people over.
- This is the hard part… but you have to start inviting people over. This will help you love your home more. You’ll be making memories and forcing yourself to get comfortable with what you have. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.
- And don’t apologize for your house…for what isn’t perfect or rock star quality. People don’t come to your house to get to know your furniture better. They come to your house to get to know you.
- Don’t make it about the things, and it won’t be about the “things”!
xo,
Lyn & Dannette
