There she was was, one among many in a jam packed antique mall. She’d been there a long, long time but today they’d put a new price on her in hopes of moving her out quickly to make room for better pieces. Many people came and walked around this petite lady, checking out her classic lines, only to walk away when they saw the raw signs of wear and the peeling veneer . . .
. . . until the one came, the one who was much like her. The one who chose her and took her home to give her a new life.
Many long days and nights were spent on her restoration, and in the process the lines began to blur between the life of the restorer and the one being restored as comparisons were made of their similarities. Peeling veneers were repaired, putty used to fill the larger cracks, and experiments with different colored paints were tried to see what she would become. No, this one was not meant to be a bold colored statement piece. Nor was she meant to be a sophisticated lacquered lady. This one’s past, it was determined, would be allowed to shine through the layers of paint that would eventually bring her to this soft and muted color. 
This petite one was solidly built by her original creator and as she is restored she becomes even stronger.
When the transformation is complete she looks different than before but her original character still shines through.
Her freshly cleaned and painted interior is carefully filled with treasures from generations past.
These treasures remind her of the values instilled within her by family members when she was young.
They also remind her of lessons learned from friends and acquaintances who intersected path along the way.
Of course she can’t help but recall lessons she learned through her own mistakes!
If you move in real close you’ll see this lady’s imperfections quite clearly . . .
. . . and the wear that came from living life long and full.
Life wounded this one deeply at times . . .
. . . but the pain that caused the visible scars is long past and nothing more than distant memory.
Mostly now she recalls the joys of her life. She has been blessed with much, MUCH joy!
See the layers of color representing childhood, young adulthood, motherhood, career, and now a sweet time of less responsibility but a passion to continue living life to the fullest! And always with the expectancy of, “What’s next?”
Though she was once closed and private, she doesn’t mind throwing her doors wide open now to share with others the pathway to becoming beautiful. Though it is at times frightening to her, and sometimes others don’t like what they see in her or what she has to share, she has been called to this purpose of giving back to others what she has so freely been given.
This one, she is different than those around her, and though she once detested her differences she is now at peace with who she is. The once shy girl has come out of her shell of insecurity. She laughs freely now and loves to make others laugh along with her. She believes that others can find the same freedom to be who they were created to be and loves to offer to let them borrow her hope until they can find their own. She is often heard to say,
Wait for the miracle! Click To Tweet
In reality, we are all different. Unique creations made to love and be loved by Father God. Fighting your way through life all alone can be hard. Sometimes it takes another person coming alongside to help point us in the direction God originally intended for us to go. God tells us that His way is easy and His burden is light. Won’t you place your life into the Master’s hands and let Him do the work of bringing you into complete restoration?
Take it from a little painted hutch,
There is no joy greater than to finally become what God originally intended us to be. Click To Tweet
I’d love to pray for those of you who are struggling in any way. Simply leave your prayer request in the comment section. I moderate all of my comments so if you’d like your prayer to be private please let me know.
Blessings to you dear ones,
TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NiftyThriftyThings, SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
I have been known to link to the following Inspirational Parties:
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Prayer appreciated. Life continue s to add more nicks and dings than I can handle lately!
Patti, This is a beautiful post and the hutch turned out wonderful!
Hugs,
Sherry
Hi Patti, Congrats! You are the winner of the $60 Parrot Uncle giveaway. I couldn’t find an email address for you. To claim the gift contact Amo Chou at Leon@ParrotUncle.com with your light selection. I hope you find lighting that you love.
Hugs,
Sherry
I felt like you were describing me here, Patti: “If you move in real close you’ll see this lady’s imperfections quite clearly . . .and the wear that came from living life long and full. Life wounded this one deeply at times . . .but the pain that caused the visible scars is long past and nothing more than distant memory.” Perhaps it fits many of us who have lived a while.
But it doesn’t end there, does it? Our resurrection, restoration and renewal are ongoing, continual and wonderful to behold. God never gives up on bringing beauty out of ashes. Thank you for the beautiful words and images here. They speak loud and clear of His infinite patience, love and grace. Bless you! 🙂 x
Fabulous! Doesn’t it do your heart good when a projects comes together and works well! Lifts one’s spirit [I know, vanity , vanity]
Oh, Patti, it’s been years since I read such a beautifully nuanced presentation of the Gospel! Your description is exactly what Jesus wants to do in a life!
Blessings to you!
Patti,
Filled with His spirit, you have given not only beauty, but voice, to this petite hutch.
Thank you for such an empowering message!!!
I adore the imperfections and the way you’ve brought out the original beauty of this piece!!!
Thank you for the gentle reminder that love covers a multitude of imperfections.
My MoMa always said,”Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.
This is beautiful, indeed!!!
Fondly,
Pat
GORGEOUS!!!
Beautiful restoration, Patty, and beautiful analogy. xoxo Su
I thought of you again today. This post made me miss you to tears. If you were my hutch in my home, I would never sell or give you away. I would move you across the country and back. But since you are not my hutch, I have to love and appreciate the very beautiful and unique piece of furniture that God has created, from a distance, whereever He takes you to. I am so glad you let me see you inside and out, and I REALLY REALLY look forward to visiting you and your treasures again someday soon! ❤
I’ll love you forever,
Shelly
There is such beauty in your hutch as well as your words. What a blessing to take something that needs to be restored and learn how you have been redeemed as a child of God in the process. The analogy was perfect because I imagine often that I am scratched and dented until I became redeemed in Jesus. Thank you for sharing prat of your story through the restoration of a hutch! Hugs girl!
What beautiful work and a wonderful metaphor. That would look amazing in my living room;) Great job Patti!
What a beautiful post!
So beautiful – the hutch and your words! Redemption always takes our breath away! Just lovely!
She is beautiful!
Patti the hutch is beautiful but if I brought one more hutch into our house I think my husband would scream. I kind of collect them and I have 2 corner hutches and approximately 7 other ones – what can I say I am a lucky lady and my hubby loves me. I am writing because I clicked on your chandy with the silver balls and absolutely fell in love. Can you tell me how you got the ornaments to hand so nicely? I think a decoration like that looks more winter like than Christmas and could be left up at least until Spring. Thanks in advance.
This was such a beutifully written post. The analogy between the restorer and the hutch is remarkable. The furniture is very beautiful indeed. I also felt as if you were discribing me in may of the sections. I have found my calling in blogging and have also come out of my shell and am very happy. I believe God had intended for me to be here now . Thank you for such an inspisrational piece.
Thanks for posting this wonderful message. I have a friend who just can’t seem to get out of this same “funk.” I sent her this post. It is better than what I have been able to do to encourage her. It was very timely. God is always on time. We both appreciate this. God’s rich blessings to you!
Beautiful example of redemption and salvation. Thank you Patti.
Love this post, Patti! What a beautiful piece and what a beautiful reminder of all that God does to redeem and restore us. Thanks for sharing at Testimony Tuesday!
Thank you Holly Barrett! God is indeed my redeemer.
Blessings friend,
Patti
Patti, what a beautiful analogy! As a lover of old and repurposed things, you had me with your descriptions and photos, then the surprise as you refocused and I saw my story. Lovely! Visiting from Julie’s Fellowship Friday. Happy Thanksgiving!
What a wonderful transformation and photos. Thank you for a beautifully written post. I imagine we can all relate.
What a beautiful piece! I love the details on the doors! Your photos are staged so pretty!
Smiles!
Terry
http://thecuratorscollection.com/2015/11/19/making-broken-beautiful-no-14/
What a lovely analogy, Patti. And neither of you are the worse for the wear! Old gold is more precious the longer it weathers the wear.
I nearly missed this post because I had to rush to Dallas to be with my husband who made an emergency trip to the hospital. Prayers were answered and he is fine now. God is so good to us.
Blessings to you dear one!
Gorgeous makeover and I love how you kept the shelves stained wood rather than painted. Might consider this idea when I give my pantry a makeover soon.
Gorgeous! Love the comparison to us; each unique and so loved by God…just beautiful!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Hi Patti, what a beautiful hutch and a beautiful message. Thanks for sharing your talent and your light with all of us.
Happy Thanksgiving, Lynn
Patti, the hutch is a real beauty, and I love the coming into your own story! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
How beautiful Patti! I love the “Wait for the miracle.” Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
Patti, what a lovely post,. Your Petite Lady is gorgeous. There is always hope. As Emily Dickinson wrote,
“Hope is the thing with feathers —
That perches in the soul — ”
I saw your link at Pamela’s Treasure Hunt Thursday party.
Beautiful post with a beautiful message and a beautiful piece of furniture to top it all off! Honoured you shared at Making Broken Beautiful last week! I am featuring it this week! Have a great week!
Smiles!
Terry