Thursday, March 17, 2016

I Lost It All to Find Everything

I share this post with you ever so carefully
with a humble and grateful spirit, 
not in anyway to boast.


Not in a million years, did I ever dream this would be a reality.
NEVER!


As a matter of fact, I stopped dreaming a long time ago.

Too many dashed hopes, disappointments, unfulfilled dreams
as a result of bad choices, mistakes, unwise decisions.
A lost vision. 

I heard my daddy say many times, 
"Without a vision, the people perish."




Yesterday we met with the designer. 
I thought we were only allowed a few choices
designated by the builder and home owner's association.

We were given many choices.

We selected a whitewashed brick.
from the Hanson Carolina Collection,
Port Charlotte.
The vinyl is Harbor Gray.

It's sounding more like a cottage with every selection.
A cottage, my dream.


The roof is "Weathered Wood," a dark gray with specks of 
light gray, white and some rust to match the undertones in the brick.


This is my favorite part!
The color of my door is Granite Peak
by Sherwin Williams.


I am sitting here crying and overwhelmed.

A song comes to mind. 
It's an old Southern Gospel Song from the 80's, 

I lost it all to find everything.
I died a pauper to be born a king.
When I learned how to lose, 
I found out how to win.
For I lost it all, to find everything.


I chose very simple lines for the inside.
White painted, Shaker-style kitchen cabinets
with pewter door pulls and knobs.
Granite counter tops, the color, Graphite.


This is not my living room, just the color of my walls, 
Anew Gray by Sherwin Williams. 
We are using the same color through-out.


Gloria Gaither tells the story of an empty lot
with piles of wood, boxes of nails, window panes, a
construction site with old tools, buckets of paint. 
To be honest, she says, it looked rather like a mess.

She goes on to tell her story as she does
so beautifully, (remember it's the 70's)

But one day this house will be filled with rooms,
in one room a girl with her hair all rolled up in coke cans
will listen to sad love songs, 
 while a guy in another room works
out chords on a old guitar. a mom cooks dinner
and a dad will come home 
to a family of people who really care.
(Or something like that)

Together they sing,

Something Beautiful

If ever there were dreams that were lofty and noble, 
they were my dreams at the start
and the hope for life's best
were the hopes that I harbored, down deep in my heart.

But my dreams turned to ashes, 
my castles all crumbled, my fortunes turned to loss, 
so I wrapped them all in the rags of my life 
and laid them at the cross.

Something beautiful, 
Something good,
All my confusion, He understood.
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, 
But He made something beautiful of my life.

-- lyrics and music by Bill and Gloria Gaither

It's not about the house.
It's the beauty he's creating from the ashes.

I am utterly amazed.
When I lost everything, He gave me all.





21 comments:

  1. He gave me all, beautiful words. Your house is becoming your dream home in reality.

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  2. This is so exciting Bonnie! I love your choices!

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  3. What a wonderful story, Bonnie. I don't know your history, but I'm so happy for you to have your dream home becoming a reality. How exciting!

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  4. Now I know where you have been:) I am SO happy for you! God has a plan for us, doesn't he? Love your choices and can't wait to ride along on this new part of your journey with you! HUGS!

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  5. Ohhhhhhhhhhh I can't wait to see the finish product, Bonnie. I can feel the anticipation and happiness through your post. Many Blessings to you.

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  6. Love this! SO happy for you! I know your new home will ooze love to all who enter :)
    My current home is a dream, an unexpected far reaching dream, come true. It's almost two years and I will never get over the joy of living here! It's new every day.
    Doing a happy dance for you :)

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  7. One of my favorite Gaither songs! I'm just so excited and happy for you and your new home. I can't wait for the photo tour when it's all done. I love the grey door! Have a blessed day.

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  8. Thank you LORD Jesus for letting these wonderful folks have the dream (and reality) of a nice new home. Y'all deserve it. To HIM be the praise! I am so happy for y'all. The colors are lovely. Please keep sharing so we may share in this delightful joy.
    Have a blessed day my friend. Luv ~:)

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  9. Bonnie, It's the best thing to have faith. With God all things are possible. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
    p.s. The Gaithers have a music studio, gift shop, complex about 28 miles East of our town.

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  10. You are truly blessed! I am so happy for you...reminds me of a song about beauty for ashes. The Lord loves to give us good things and your story has blessed me :-)

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  11. I was just thinking about you today!!!!
    Oh my friend....How wonderful!!!!
    So very happy for you!!!
    And love that color on the door!!!!!

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  12. So happy for you ,I knew your prays would come true ,God is so good.

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  13. I am so, so, so very happy for you. You deserve this. You have had a lot of years of ups and downs and it looks like the UP dream is coming true. God is good!!! xo Diana

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  14. So very pleased for you! All things come in time! xx

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  15. I didn't realize you were buying a new home, Bonnie. I'm so happy for you, and the brick is very nice. The granite counter tops look very similar to mine. What a charming cottage this will be. And it looks like it's a one story, which I love. This is great news, and I know how much you appreciate it all.

    ~Sheri

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  16. God is so good, isn't He? I am so very happy for you, my friend...I can't wait to see the finished product, especially after you add your lovely personal touches to it! Truly a beautiful post :)

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  17. How wonderful Bonnie! I am so happy for you! Blessings!

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  18. What a joy to see God move when you thought all hope was gone! God is So Very Good! Blessings, Cindy xo

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  19. I'm thrilled for you both. What a beautiful and love filled home you're going to have!!! your color choices and materials are SO darn pretty too!!! LOVE!!!

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  20. Congratulations! I am happy for you. I love the photos of your grandchildren as I have been catching up with your posts this a.m. Happy Easter; may the Lord bless you and yours. xoxo

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