Chandeliers and Comfy Chairs

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD:he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12.

As I stroll through my home, I am reminded endlessly of two things that I love - chandeliers and comfy chairs. Both of which I make my very own. My Momma calls it "dumpster diving" - I call it "free". Whenever I see an abandoned chair alongside the road, I grab it up (and in some cases, send the kids to grab it for me). If the bones are good, I strip it down and make it new. (Hey that is a great analogy of what Christ does to us!) I personalize the chair any way I wish. You know why? 'Cause it didn't cost a penny and if I mess up, no harm done! I will admit though, I actually paid $20.00 for my favorite swivel rocker that I later realized was an Ethan Allen piece. Talk about good bones! It took me almost as long to take it apart as it did to recover it. (Oh how many times the Lord must say that about me!) I don't profess to professional reupholstering by any means (I leave that for Mamaw!), but I strive for perfection and do the best I can with whatever I may be endeavoring. The real test for me comes when company sits on it!
The same goes for my chandeliers. I either get them free or find them on my infamous treasure hunts. A plain chandelier is like an empty canvas for me. I decide which room I want it to go in and then I get carried away. I'm not there yet, but eventually I will have one in every room in my home. My favorite one hangs in the front door entrance to the house. It's outside but not exposed to the elements. The medallion I painted for this one is gynormous and took hours to complete. But the result - magnifico!
The chandelier in my kitchen reflects my love for teapots and teacups. The one in my bathroom was given to me from my next door neighbor in Memphis. It's an antique and was original to his 1900's built home. The one in my office is simple and pink - just like I like it. I made one for my granddaughter, Sophie, that is pink and black - beautiful (just like her). I even hung a pair of pink, glittery high to tennis shoe ornaments (just a bit of her Grandmommy) on it.
Just the word chandelier is fun to say. It's an elegant, bright, whimsical word. And besides that, it offers a bit of light, whether functional or atmospheric. This is probably the restoring that I love to do most. It's quick and easy and can help define a room of any kind. What's not to love about the picturesque sight of a soft comfy chair glowing with the light from a beautiful chandelier? Just thinking about it makes me want to grab a cup of coffee, a good book, and my fuzzy blanket.
I was filling Momma in on my next blog about comfy chairs and chandeliers at my birthday breakfast last week. I never knew what she was about to tell me and I'm sure she doesn't mind me sharing it with you. If you do Momma, forgiveness rather than permission - again. Anyway... Momma was sharing with me that for years she would rise earlier than necessary to prepare for her day. She would make her coffee, take a shower, get dressed, and save plenty of time to have her devotions before leaving for work. She reminisced with me about the comfy yellow chair in the corner with the hanging lamp right above it. She would ready her outward self and then ready her inward self to begin each day. She said that she relished in the quiet before the day began just sitting there drinking her coffee, reading her Bible, praying and then switching off the light before heading out for the day. Although my mind goes back to her old yellow comfy chair on Ridge Bay Cove and the hanging lamp in the corner above it, the houses and chairs and lights have all changed now. So have we. But you know what remains unchanged? Time spent reflecting the light of the world that was the basis of true comfort - even with the most comfortable of surroundings.
You see, the things that bring a smile to your face and add just a bit of spring in your step don't have to be expensive or extravagant. Just a "dumpster diving" chair and a neglected chandelier still have life left in them. All it takes to make it shine again is a little time and love. That's how I feel at times too. I made a pact with myself this past week to try a little something new. Since I couldn't possibly know what is going on in the lives of those around me, I want to let His light shine through me. No need saying something negative about someone we don't even know - even it they can't hear us. Just be nice! To everyone, all the time, for no apparent reason - other than to be a chandelier of sorts. Just make sure you don't put a lampshade on your head or sit on a strangers lap and claim it as your comfy chair!