Gentle Details

The shop smells like cinnamon, today. The heat from the fire is slowly warming each room and the scent of the candle I’ve lit is gently wafting through the air. I love this time of year. It’s cold outside, kind of gray… but in The Cottage the assortment of lamps give off a golden glow. I want to conserve energy but the light from the incandescent bulbs is so much prettier than that of a fluorescent or the new “white” bulbs. I’m holding out using the old “golden” light of our parents and grandparents homes.

The spoons hanging in the ornate rack on the wall, by the door, are glistening. Freshly polished silver is pretty, but somehow predictable. These have been a little lost, temporarily forgotten and it’s reflected in this color that time has brought to them. They are hanging, now in a place of honor, waiting for a gentle hand to select them--maybe for the perfect flowers cast on their handle or the perfectly odd shape to their bowl.

Just below them hang two cross stitched silhouettes. The black thread compliments the aged tea-stained fabric upon which each tiny stitch was placed precisely. I wonder what the domestic artist was thinking each time she pressed her needle through the fabric. Was she waiting for the bread dough to rise, were the children napping, was she whispering a silent prayer for her sweet heart?

On the table below a perky “Skipper” doll case greets each person who passes by with a cheeky little nod. Barbie’s little sister, you know. The banana-yellow case with fab pink artwork captured the attention of many a girl. The little chrome latch snaps gently to the right and inside a plethora of treasures. Clothes, shoes, sunglasses, even roller skates and the tiniest little comb!

All of these tiny details somehow speak to me. Not literally, I haven’t totally lost it!  But as I pause and glance across the room, gentle remembrances give way to the hurried pace of my life. I am reminded to slow down, enjoy the moment. The color of the light, the sweet scent in the air and the warmth of the hand touching mine.

Treasure Hiding in Plain Sight

I have owned an antiques store since 1999. When I am on the hunt for antiques, I am not a purist. I don't have rigid rules about what I am looking for; for example, it does not have to be only oak, or a minimum of 100 years old, or only American made sterling... etc. I don't have preconceived ideas about what I'm looking for, rather there is an openness to everything I see... everything has the potential to be "a great find".


It is really puzzling to some people who observe me when I am shopping at a yard sale. At one sale that I went to I noticed a great auto parts sign. I walked right up to it and quickly picked it up. A man behind me said “I thought that no one would buy that!”. I laughed and said it was exactly what I was looking for! He looked at me strangely. I didn’t bother to explain.

He was unaware that auto and gas station related items are very collectible and not easy to find. To him, I suppose he thought of the sign as a cast-off that no longer had a purpose. I took it to my shop, cleaned it up and hung it prominently in the window. Much to my delight it didn’t take long for it to sell.

God looks at us in much the same way. He sees our potential and the “hidden value” that may not be readily apparent to the untrained eye. He sees past the things that have rusted us or the events that have turned us into cast-offs and he will quickly pick us up with the same exhilaration that I feel each time I grasp onto a treasure at a sale. Well, I guess it is not quite the same exhilaration… His is much greater because he knows that you and I are at risk if we are left to our own desires. He will rush in and snatch you up quickly and restore you beyond your wildest imagination. He uncovers your greatest potential and makes it shine! Unlike the inanimate objects that I hunt for, you have a choice. Ask Him to “find” you today. Ask his forgiveness for your wayward heart and let the glory begin!!

Jeremiah 29:13 New International Version
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Robinson Crusoe in Faith

Cyndi's Friday Faith Fact:

1 Timothy 1:15-19 (NIV) 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

Paul wrote this. Paul was the man who was originally pursuing Christ-followers and having them killed until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul was forever changed by meeting Jesus. Many of us have had this experience. We met Jesus and were changed. The words that really stuck out to me in this passage, today, were from verse 19. Are you doing what you can to "hold on to faith"... I challenge you (and myself) today to make sure our own actions (or lack thereof) do not lend to the "shipwrecking" of our faith! What are you listening to? Read God's word... Fellowship with other believers... and talk to God! He will exceed all your expectations!