Returning to My First Love-Clean, Pure and WHITE

The old, turn-of-the-century storefront is the home of Cornerstone Treasures. 

The building is old brick that is in need of sealing.

Although beautiful, the bricks are chipping and leave quite a mess.

The roof leaks when it rains.  The severe drought has kept us dry for most of the summer until the past two weeks of downpour.

After the storm, the building reeks of mold and mildew from a backed up sewage and a clogged drain line.

Tuesday I spent the day cleaning out the back room.

We had accumulated more trash than treasures.

I transferred the contents of wet boxes where the bottoms had fallen out into plastic storage bins.
Among the trash was broken debris from precious china and porcelain that may have been of little value at one time and hopefully of no value now.


Our building houses antiques and vintage furniture, some in need of repair and some restored to its former glory.

A piano, well over 100 years old, is chipped and broken and out of tune.  Some say it is valuable.  Some question the validity of the appraiser. 
Though beautiful on the outside, therein lies discord and disharmony.


I worked for 3 hours sorting trash from treasure, sweeping broken glass, nuts and bolts from this and that, wood and paint chips strewn through-out.

I thought of how many times my life has been out of tune, like banging noise and a clanging symbol.
I thought of what a mess I have been at times, broken and in need of repair-shattered dreams left unfulfilled and tears that needed mending.
I have often plastered on a smile to cover up pain from within. 

While sweeping, I was reminded of a song by Evie from the 80's.

Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows?
Are you tired of spinning round and round?
Pick up the shattered dreams of your life,
And at the feet of Jesus lay them down.

Give them all
Give them all
Give them all to Jesus.
Shattered dreams, wounded hearts, and broken lives
Give them all
Give them all
Give them all to Jesus,
And He will turn your sorrow into joy.



I'm good at starting a project without much thought of where I'm going. 
Then I get it almost completed and hate it. 
A few weeks ago, I almost finished the Red, White, and Blue Room only to discover today that the colors don't really make me feel at peace. 

I need to go back to my first love, whites, softs and pastels.
So I did just that.

I packed up all the clutter of red, white and blue
and loaded my car with trash that will be someone else's treasure.
 

I'm glad that with Jesus there is GRACE.
He can take the broken pieces and make us whole again.
He takes the trash and makes us HIS treasured possession.

He takes the mess we've made and makes it beautiful.
It is necessary to get done with doing it on our own, our own way and return to our first love.

 
It feels good to declutter-
CLEAN, PURE, AND WHITE.

I have returned to my first love:)

Bonnie