Last weekend we went to several garage sales. I think it was jackpot Saturday, because everyone was selling cheap--just the way I like it! I saw this ugly, heavy metal box sitting on a table. I have no idea what it is for, and I had no idea at the time what I would ever use it for. But I asked the lady how much she wanted for it, and when she said, "1o cents," I said, "I'll take it." So I brought it home.
All week it sat in my garage. I brought it into the house, looked at it, and took it back to the garage. Then I had an epiphany--well, that's a little exaggerated. But anyway, I began to work on an idea.I set a pot of begonias in it. It was a start, but it surely wasn't complete. It seemed to be crying out, as I often do, "Please be patient; God isn't finished with me yet." So I decided to continue working on it. I'm so glad that God doesn't give up on me, that He is still working on me, designing me into something beautiful.
I began to look around for something else to place in my ugly box. My eyes landed on a little bird house, I set it in the box, and you know, I kind of like it. It's different now; it doesn't look like the old heavy box with no perceived purpose. It was becoming useful! The apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If any man is in Christ he is a new creation. Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." Thankfully I, too am different from the person I once was. I have a purpose now--to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
This evening I walked outside and took some pictures of my box by candlelight. It was transformed by the glow of the candles, the little bird house, and the pot of begonias. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God." The Light of the world is in the process of transforming me from someone who was ugly and without direction into someone who is useful for His kingdom. I used a little dirt and a spade. He uses the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. And now and then He uses the spade of discipline to dig out the sin that is preventing me from being that useful someone. Thank God for His tools!
Transforming things into something useful is such a joyful and rewarding venture. I pray that my Father looks upon me with the same pleasure.I'm linking to:
The Shabby Chic Cottage
http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/
3 comments:
I wish I could look at something and think, "Hmm, I could make something really cool with that." Or have enough insight to buy something and eventually come up with something unique. Unfortunately, that is not one of the things God blessed me with. Thank goodness there are folks like you to give me an idea now and then. The candles really made it beautiful.
That is cute, and a great price! :-) I like the analogy. I've always loved boxes, metal or wood. I remember when my brother came back home from serving in the military and he had an ammo box. I thought that was the coolest thing! There's never a good enough reason to throw away a box - and your idea is living proof. :-)
Love how you've turned that lonely, abandoned, ten cent box into an integral part of a lovely vignette. It says alot about your personality to see such potential. Love it!
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