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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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October 29, 2016

Be the Light

The other evening I found myself feeling so down. My spirit felt burdened, I was grumpy and I just wanted to crawl into bed and pull the covers up over my head. But, as I stood at the kitchen sink washing the last of the dinner dishes I began to wonder why I was feeling that way. Nothing bad had actually happened. There was nothing in my own life where I could actually draw a correlation between it and my feelings. I couldn’t even blame it on PMS. So I started thinking back through my day, trying to trace the shift in my mood. And that’s when I realized what had triggered these feelings.

Social media.

bethelightchallenge-full-shade-1250x833

 

A discussion had taken place on Facebook. A political one (shocker!). And I found myself getting sucked into it.

My engagement in it was minimal, but the effect it was having on me was significant. I allowed it to suck me in, to take me to a place that felt very dark. It left me feeling confused, fearful and isolated.

As I stood there at my kitchen sink, washing up the last of the dinner dishes, I realized that I was giving power to this darkness by permitting it to invade my mind and my spirit.

And that’s when I felt the gentle voice of my Heavenly Father reminding me of the truth. The truth of His sovereignty and what He is calling me to be in this temporary world of mine.

He is calling me to be light.

Matthew 516

So, when I was approached by my dear friend Deborah of Salvage Sister and Mister to join the challenge to be the light in the ever growing dark world and confusing world of social media, I didn’t hesitate to say yes!

During the week of Nov 1-8, 8 bloggers will share their stories and encouragement to be the light in the darkness.

be-the-light-challenge-collage-1250x1250

 

Salvage Sister & Mister -Nov 1st
11 Magnolia Lane – Nov 2nd
An Extraordinary Day – Nov 3rd
Plum Doodles – Nov 4th
Blessed Lonestar Mess – Nov 5th
At the Picket Fence – Nov 6th
Real Girl’s Realm -Nov 7th
The Homemakers Journal – Nov 8th

Some will have extra materials to share with you as well so be sure to stop by each day to be encouraged.

The purpose of the ‘Be the Light Challenge’ is to encourage~

  • How to share opinions (political or not) in a Godly manner
  • How to guard our hearts and minds
  • How to deal with conflict online
  • Setting limits/boundaries (1 Corinthians 6:12)
  • Encouraging/building others up
  • Fruits of the Spirit

Please remember that we have prayed and will be praying for those participating in this challenge.

We look forward to hearing how God has worked through this week.

If you would like to share, please pin, tweet, or share on social media to get the word out to as many people as we can.

Are you ready to accept the challenge? I know I am!

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20 Comments Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Faith, God

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vickie Macfarlane says

    October 29, 2016 at 3:51 AM

    Thank you so much! You hit the nail on the head here, I just am not sure what is creating these feelings, but I will find out. I am so glad to know someone else has been experiencing this same issue this week. Just frustrating to feel these way and not know why, but now I know how to go back and look for the culprit. Thank you for sharing this. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Mimi Matthews says

    October 29, 2016 at 5:21 AM

    As a speaker, writer, and blogger who is called to “speak truth” and shine her light, I am completely drawn to this!! I would have LOVED to be a part! I will share this post on my blog and on my FB because soooo many are overwhelmed and frustrated right now. Thank you so much, and God’s blessings on your writing and sharing what He has taught you. This is just wonderful!

    Reply
  3. Deborah says

    October 29, 2016 at 7:59 AM

    You hit the nail on the head, it does leave us feeling so empty frustrated, and even depressed! I am excited to see what the Lord has for this week and beyond. So glad you can join us!!!

    Reply
  4. Doreen Cagno says

    October 29, 2016 at 8:30 AM

    What a wonderful idea! I’ll be checking in on those posts for sure! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  5. Jan says

    October 29, 2016 at 9:24 AM

    Such a great plan-a practical way to dispel darkness with the light of Christ!
    It makes me think of the song “Shine” by Christa Wells (Feed Your Soul CD).
    Thank you!

    Reply
  6. Mrs Major Hoff says

    October 29, 2016 at 10:27 AM

    This is so great Vanessa! I have a political free policy on my FB. I do not comment, or allow the conversations on my status updates. That said, it’s ALL OVER fb and I can’t get away from it. There are times that I think, “I wish I could say….” and still be thinking of that post hours later. I read an article on a subject to be “open minded” and days later it is haunting me. I need to take my own advice and just scroll on past, LOL!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 29, 2016 at 11:36 AM

      It’s SO hard isn’t it?! I have allowed it to keep me up at night sometimes as I’ve pondered whether or not to say something. I know that isn’t what the Lord would want so I’m constantly praying that He will give me wisdom. It’s nice to know that we are in this together and that we can be unified in being the light! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Pam says

    October 29, 2016 at 10:58 AM

    Sounds very uplifting and I can’t wait to start! Thanks to all who will participate. Pam

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 29, 2016 at 11:37 AM

      Thank you Pam!

      Reply
  8. Carol Neibling says

    October 29, 2016 at 11:28 AM

    Last night I didn’t turn on the TV and instead turned on some soft music on you tube. I have had the political news until I feel like the media thinks we can’t reason out who we should vote for or whatever it might be.

    I picked up your beautiful book this morning and I can hardly wait until I can find time to read it. Can’t believe someone over 80 can have so much to do.

    Have a Blessed fall weekend,

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 29, 2016 at 11:38 AM

      Oh Carol thank you SO much for buying our book!!! It means so much to us and we truly hope that it blesses and encourages you. 🙂 I’ve been trying hard to be intentional about shutting off the tv and the computer and listening to music as well and it completely changes my outlook. Thank you for stopping by and you have a wonderful weekend too! xoxo

      Reply
    • Carol Neibling says

      October 29, 2016 at 1:33 PM

      I will be buying your book for Christmas and have asked the bookstore in St. Joseph, Mo to carry it and display it so others can see the beautiful book. You bring a lot to the “table” with your thoughts and heartfelt feelings and we all need that kind of openness.

      Reply
      • At The Picket Fence says

        October 29, 2016 at 4:57 PM

        Carol you are the BEST!!! We truly cannot thank you enough!! Much love, Vanessa

        Reply
  9. Betsy says

    October 29, 2016 at 3:42 PM

    All of the media around us these days seems to thrive on scandals, negativity and all that is evil. It’s just too much for us all. We must keep our minds and hearts stayed on Him who is above all. The Lord will see us through everything if we trust Him. We need to guard our hearts and minds by NOT spending so much time listening to or participating in the media. We need to spend that time in God’s word no always in front of a TV or computer.

    I love your new book and will be giving that as some Christmas gifts this year !!

    Reply
  10. SheilaG- Plum Doodles says

    October 29, 2016 at 4:13 PM

    I am so looking forward to seeing what everyone posts next week. I certainly need the encouragement!

    Reply
  11. Christine Boles says

    October 29, 2016 at 4:53 PM

    Thank you, thank you, thank you!

    Reply
  12. Susie says

    October 29, 2016 at 6:43 PM

    Thank you all for doing this! Oh how badly we need Light! My daughter owns an independent bookstore and I’m going to ask her to stock your book! God bless

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      October 30, 2016 at 6:47 AM

      Oh Susie thank you SO much!!! We have contact information for ordering the book that we can provide your daughter if she needs it. Email us at atthepicketfence@gmail.com if you would like us to pass along the info. It means so much to us that you want her to have it in her store! Blessings!

      Reply
  13. Valarie Sanford says

    October 29, 2016 at 10:10 PM

    What a wonderful idea!!! Thank you for stepping out in faith to be an encouragement, I appreciate you!

    Reply
  14. Carla from Kansas says

    October 30, 2016 at 3:50 PM

    Wonderful idea. Looking forward to the posts.

    Reply

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✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this ✨ The first Sunday of Advent is upon us and this year I created a super simple centerpiece for my dining room that incorporates the candles we will use each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas. While we will only light one candle each week, I used more than four so that the centerpiece would look a bit more filled in. In keeping with my goal to embrace a softer approach to my decorating, this arrangement works perfectly and helps to keep our focus on the beauty and the meaning  of the Advent season. For more ideas like this, check out my previous Advent post! ✨

#advent #adventcandles #simplechristmas #wearethehomemakers
In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a In this season of motherhood, my soul is feeling a bit more tender. When Christmas rolls around and I no longer have wish lists that include Lego sets or dollhouses, I find that I want my home to reflect this craving for all things gentle.

So our hot cocoa station this year is much more simple and done in a neutral color palette that just subtly blends in with the rest of the decor. It still feels festive and is definitely still “user friendly” but it’s just a bit less…well…less.

And, that’s ok. It’s not that this area won’t ever again have bright colors (maybe even pops of red!) but, right now I’m happy to have things this way.

With all that is going on in the world right outside our door, my desire is for our home to truly feel like a respite. I want it to be where we come and let our guard down, our heart rates slow and to be flooded with a sense of peace in knowing that here is where we can just simply be. I want it to be a place of rest. Rest from the constant onslaught of news and information. Rest from the seemingly small struggles of school and jobs that can so often feel like big struggles.

And, most importantly, we rest in the comfort of knowing the One who is Sovereign over all and is the reason this month is so very special and sacred.

Many blessings to you dear friends as we kick off this wonderful season! ✨
Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
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✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
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Do you have a hot cocoa or coffee station at your house? Here’s a look back at years past if you’re needing a little bit of inspiration!
#hotcocoa #hotcocoabar
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