Changing the Old into Something New

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture before I started painting it, but
you get the picture.

Change is a crucial part of life. Everything in our lives change whether we like it or not. I look back in my life and am so thankful for the changes that have taken place in my character and in my surroundings.

Wouldn't it be awful if things always stayed the same? I would still think I am right in certain areas that I have been wrong. I would not have developed in my attitudes and actions.

Just as I desire to grow and improve in my heart and mind I am always looking to find ways to better my home and its appearance.

Can you imagine if we were still stuck in the style of the 60's and 70's??... Yuck! Now I realize that for some reason old styles always come back with a new twist, some of which I like and some which I think are very distasteful.

Each year I look back and think how out of style I was last year, and next year I might think the same, the point is everything about our lives and culture is changing. Sometimes it can be hard to find out who we really are in this revolving world. The question is, are we being changed by our culture or by God? I for one want to stay true to who God has called me to be and to change and transform in the areas that He wants me to, that need refreshing and revamping.

Here's one of my favorite verses:
" Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

You are probably wondering what this has to do with that ugly dresser...? I am getting there.

When I found this dresser at a garage sale for $15 I knew it would make a perfect t.v. console.It needed a lot of work but I had great intentions to fix it up as soon as I brought it home. It quickly went to the bottom of my list of things to do though as other things needed my more immediate attention. I was tempted many times to just go and buy a new t.v. stand but being that our budget was tight I knew that I should just make the best with what I had.

It can seem so easy to just go and buy something new but I find when I make do with what I have, it forces me to be creative. It is so satisfying to take something old and dingy and make it into something new and to know that I did it.

I find that if I don't get to something right away, I usually never get around to it. I finally couldn't stand looking at the peeling, black paint any longer, it was time to do something about it! So without wasting any more time I went to the store and bought some spray paint.

I found a pretty turquoise color that  I knew would brighten up the dresser.
Now I have always been very leery of bright colors. I guess I am just scarred of  the commitment.
I like nice safe colors, but I decided to go out of my comfort zone and I am glad I did!

The paint only cost around $4( I used 2) and I was pleasantly surprised how nice and easy it went on.

I didn't realize how much stuff we had inside!

I put Izzy to work sanding off the old paint. Make sure you get off any old paint off of whatever project you are working on. If you don't it will just peal off again. Learn from my mistake and don't pick the hottest part of the day to spray paint, it will start to bubble up and drip. Make sure you do it outside though because the smell is nauseating!  Even though I waited a while to bring it in, the smell still lingered for a while but it was all worth it!

Here is the old set up... dark and dingy

And here is the new and improved version ...bright and colorful!! Quite a change huh? And all for $8! Isn't amazing what a little elbow grease and a can of paint can do? I have to say I love looking at the new set up, it just makes me happy! Who needs t.v. when you have such a bright and cheery spot to look at? Am I overreacting?

 I already had all the pictures I hung up on the wall, I think they like their new home.

I don't know how long it will be till I feel the need to change things again but isn't that the fun of caring for your home?.. changing things around until they fit just right? Nothing in this life will ever be just right but that's the challenge.. to make it the best it can be... its so rewarding.

If you have anything around your house that you know could be better, make a project out of it, make it into something beautiful. Make your house not just a place where you live but a place that you enjoy living in.

 Isn't that what God does with us? We were old, dirty and falling apart and he tenderly puts us back together, cleans us out and makes us new, useful and beautiful... a place where He wants to live!