Pull Out Your Pretty Dishes and Feed Your Soul.
photo credit – NatalieBoswellPhotography
I recently had a great experience in finding joy. While I was visiting my friend, Jill, I went to the kitchen for a drink of water. I opened the cupboard to find an array of beautiful crystal glasses. I thought I must be looking in the wrong place, so I asked Jill where she kept her cups. She handed me one of the fancy glasses and casually said, “I threw out all my ratty, old plastic cups and dishes. I have pretty dishes, so I decided that I am going to use them.” As I drank, I noticed the water seemed to taste better. I think I actually lifted my pinkie as I took in the last sip.
Back home, I started right away throwing out my plastic dishes. They weren’t hard to part with. Okay, I did save a few plastic sippy cups for babies. I was excited to pull my pretty dishes forward and I delight in using them on a daily basis. I even set out goblets for Sunday dinner. The grandchildren get goblets, too. I hope using my nice things helps my family to understand how important each of them is to me. We have yet to have a goblet break, but if one does, I’ll be okay with that. Like Jill, using my pretty dishes makes me happy.
Don’t Hide Your Pretty Things.
Are there things in our lives that may be hidden in a corner of a cupboard, forgotten about on a high shelf, ignored in a drawer, or something we’ve talked ourselves out of, that we just need to bring out and begin enjoying?
This reminds me of a gift, a lovely quilt, which was hand sewn by my mother-in-law Joan. At first, I kept
it safely folded in a bag in the closet, so it would not be sat on or worse jumped on. Yet, finally I bravely placed it on our guest bed. I now look upon it often and feel of its charm and sense the love of Joan. Yes, it has been sat on and I have had to spot wash it, but the quilt has also been loved, has brightened the room and has helped me in finding joy.
We can find joy as we pull out the pretty in our lives. We can burn the beautiful candle, wear our favorite sweater more often, put fresh flowers from the grocery store on our desks, reread the best books, play the music, frame and display our photos, and purchase that piece of art that we have always admired.
Recently, I bought a bird feeder to hang outside my kitchen window, thanks to another friend Susan, who has been telling me all about the beautiful birds that inhabit the Chicago area in winter. By-the-way, any bird that braves the Chicago winter deserves to be admired. I look forward to bringing birds into my yard, their colors and antics will be welcomed!
Feed Your Soul
Could this be what living large really is all about, not hiding the pretty, but taking in the abundance of beauty that is already all around us? When I surround myself with pretty things, the power of beauty quiets my anxieties, lifts my spirit, and whispers of God’s love. When I choose beauty, I choose joy and it feeds my soul.
This is an opportune time of year, with its dismal gray days, to pull out the pretty in our lives. We can cheer up our “today” as we seek after things, close at hand, that refresh us, give us hope, bring about a newness of life, provide an array of color or testifies of a loving God.I encourage you to not wait for a future event, now is the time to delight in beauty. Go ahead, pull out your pretty dishes and feed your soul.
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Love how this turned out 💕
Thanks!
This was a day-changer of a read. I’m so grateful!
Your comment made my day!
This is so beautiful. It shows the pretty in you. Thank you for these joyful posts, especially as we struggle through these cloudy winter days.
Elizabeth, you know just what to say to make me feel so good. Thank you! I love your writing and look forward to seeing you in class.
Elizabeth, you know just what to say to make me feel so good. Thank you! I love your writing and look forward to seeing you in class.
I love this! Too often we save our nice things for a special occasion and so they rarely get used and enjoyed. I like the idea of using nice things with children, too. It can help them feel special as well as helping them learn responsibility and how to care for things. I am inspired to pull out my nice things and make mob life a bit more beautiful.
Your home always looks beautiful!
Absolutely beautifully written Elaine. I will share this little pearl with my friends. XOXO
Thanks Linda, I miss seeing you!
Wonderful wisdom! There are so many applications to the principle you are sharing. Why not enjoy the very best and share our very best now? And, I agree: any bird that can endure a Chicago winter deserves our admiration.
Greg, Thanks for being one of my few male followers. I always want to know what you think! I appreciate your thoughts.
I loved your thoughts on using our good beautiful things now. I feel that if we use the beautiful items that we have will make memories of them for our family. In the same sense, having a beautiful joyful attitude will also bring beauty to all who are around us and leave loving memories.
You are a great example of using beautiful things! Thanks
You are so kind Denise, thank you!
Elaine, After I read your post, I hunted up my Valentines Day platter and put it out with some chocolates on it. Thank you for reminding me to enjoy the beautiful things that are too often tucked away.
Thanks Ellen. I so appreciate all your support.
Once again Elaine… you have inspired me and made me think. Thank you!!
You always inspire me!
Don’t hide the pretty! I love it!
Thanks Arlene – you’re the best
How inspiring. I’m already thinking of what pretty things I can pull out,
Your home is looking so pretty!!
I just polished a little brass heart-shaped box. I’ve been meaning to get to it for days. Today was the day to get the pretty out! Now I’ll look to uncover other things to brighten our home. Thank you!
Your home has always inspired me!
Your home has always inspired me! Thanks for your comment
Thank you for sharing Mama!
thanks Hannah
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