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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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June 18, 2020

Open Shelving Decorating Ideas

Hello friends! It’s been awhile since we’ve met here and I’m so thrilled to be back! Between wrapping up the end of the school year for my kids through distance learning (if I never have to do Algebra again it will be too soon!) and all of the other craziness happening in our world right now, I’ve honestly just felt the need to hunker down and spend time processing, praying and being a bit more quiet than usual.

But, the other day, I found myself itching to rearrange the shelves flanking our family room fireplace and give them a fresh look. It’s the first time in a very long time that I’ve felt any desire to decorate.

I took everything off of the shelves and gave them a much needed dusting and then set about rearranging the decor, pulling things from other parts of the house and working with what I already had on hand.

And, as I worked, I felt something inside of me begin to awaken. Something that had gone dormant in recent months. Life has felt so upside down and backwards. Right outside my front door there is upheaval and heartache and confusion and loss…so much loss.

I’ve felt as though all of my creativity has been sucked into the vacuum of a hurting world.

But, as I puttered and cleaned and arranged and rearranged, I felt that spark returning. And if you ever went to a Christian youth camp in the 1980’s you’ll know the song “It only takes a spark to get a fire going” is very true. Granted, they were talking about faith but I think the words apply to decorating too, don’t you?

I was reminded that when the whole world feels out of control and out of order, I have the choice to control what I can control and that sometimes bringing order to your home can also bring order to your heart.

I’ve always believed that a peaceful home begins with a peaceful heart and my own heart has been in a daily battle to feel at peace lately.

One of our greatest challenges in life is to find peace when everything around us is swirling like a hurricane. But experiencing true, lasting peace really has nothing to do with our circumstances.

It’s about knowing that this is not all there is. I don’t put my hope in the things of this earth because they will always come up short.

So, even though it feels strange to ponder the placement of a picture frame or a glass bottle when much of the world feels completely out of place, I can be intentional about making this little corner of it that I call my home a haven of peace. Not in order to lock ourselves away and deny what is really happening, but to be a teeny tiny representation here on earth of the joy and the peace awaiting us in heaven.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Blessings and peace to you today dear ones!

17 Comments Filed Under: Decorating, Good Ideas

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Comments

  1. Beth Bryan says

    June 18, 2020 at 2:41 PM

    Beautiful words, and once again you describe exactly how I feel right now. Hang on while I go rearrange my bookshelves.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 19, 2020 at 8:52 AM

      Love you friend! xoxo

      Reply
  2. Cindy says

    June 18, 2020 at 2:49 PM

    Vanessa, you are always putting into words just how I feel. It is so good to know others are feeling the very same emotions. I appreciate the great reminder to keep up the good fight and keep my home the “haven of peace” it needs to be. I was getting pretty weary. It was a great “pick me up”. Thank you.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 19, 2020 at 8:52 AM

      I’m so glad this resonated with and encouraged you Cindy!

      Reply
  3. Sherry says

    June 18, 2020 at 3:30 PM

    Thank you. Peace peace wonderful peace, coming down from the Father above.

    Reply
  4. Tammie says

    June 18, 2020 at 4:14 PM

    Your shelves are styled so beautifully! Love the Bible verse. It’s so appropriate for these times.

    Reply
  5. Marti says

    June 18, 2020 at 5:27 PM

    Thank you….you have made my day. Just remembering God is in control and we must continue to trust in Him. What a reassurance we have!

    Reply
  6. Doris Raab says

    June 18, 2020 at 5:38 PM

    I feel peace each time I see pictures of your home. You make some great points in this sad and difficult time. Thank you for sharing your words!

    Reply
  7. Michele M says

    June 18, 2020 at 5:44 PM

    Perfect.

    Amen, sister, amen.

    Reply
  8. Lin Mossgrove says

    June 18, 2020 at 8:24 PM

    Thank you–my heart needed this today!

    Reply
  9. Diane Lawrence says

    June 18, 2020 at 9:38 PM

    Thanks for your encouragement, Vanessa!

    Reply
  10. Kathy says

    June 19, 2020 at 12:56 AM

    Your home is beautiful and peaceful. Thank you for sharing it and your thoughts with us. I think we’re all struggling right now. Life feels very fragile. And strange. Thank you for offering all of us a moment of relief.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 19, 2020 at 8:58 AM

      I’m so glad this offered you a moment of relief Kathy! That was my hope. 🙂

      Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 19, 2020 at 8:58 AM

      I’m so glad this offered you a moment of relief Kathy! That was my hope. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Margaret says

    June 19, 2020 at 7:12 PM

    My favorite verse and thanks for the song reminder! I hadn’t thought if it in years. So peace-bringing.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 22, 2020 at 1:43 PM

      Thank you Margaret!

      Reply
  12. Mary Caliendo says

    June 29, 2020 at 7:49 PM

    Thank you for this post. Peace is so needed in our days currently. Your home is always so beautiful, I love the mindful intention.

    Reply

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