Does your home speak hope to those who enter in? There is a simple way to intentionally design hope, beauty, and truth into every room of your home!
I know this never happens to you, but I woke up feeling rather grumpy this morning. I didn’t sleep well last night and I wasn’t really looking forward to the rest of the day.
But, the family has to eat and so I got out of bed and started making breakfast. I turned on a favorite album of hymns and tried not to take my bad attitude out on my kids or my husband.
Not perfectly, though. Apologies were necessary.
While I stood watching the bacon fry in the pan, my eyes landed on the spoon rest I had recently found at Hobby Lobby. “Enjoy the little things” written across its mason jar shape.
The simple message only took a split second to remind me to pay attention to the good things in front of me, not just the parts of my day about which I was feeling less than enthusiastic.
As I have decorated our home, I have tried to be intentional about the messages and decor that sit on our shelves or hang on our walls. Verses from the Bible, lines from meaningful hymns, and quotes help to draw our attention to God and to values our family prioritizes.
Displaying truth in our homes is a simple and effective way to encourage our hearts when we are weary, to teach our children, and to initiate purposeful conversations with guests who come into our homes.
In our home, there are certain pieces which have hung on our walls for years. Others have been created this past year to remind us of significant people and moments. And more recently, I have picked up a few new favorites from Hobby Lobby.
A couple of weeks ago I decided it was time to redecorate my mantle for Spring. I needed the visual brightness and cheer that Spring decor brings. I also wanted a main focus of the room to be a piece to help us to remember Jesus in all the simple beauty of the season.
Since the return of sunshine, warm weather, and long hours of playtime outdoors, I have been positively elated that Spring is here.
It is so easy to delight in colorful flowers and warmth on our skin and the sweetness of children running around the yard, and to let our enjoyment stop there.
But, if we are wise, we will look at all the gifts that Spring brings and remember the Giver. Centering our thankfulness on a person, not merely on things, always nourishes a much more lasting and fulfilling gratitude in our hearts.
And, like the simple DIY piece of Spring art now sitting on our mantle, we will remember that as wonderful as Spring is, Jesus is better.
I used the lines from a classic hymn to create this simple piece of art. And it didn’t cost me a cent!
Scrap wood leftover from our kitchen renovations, craft paint, a .99 foam brush, and contact paper were all the supplies needed to make the sign. Well, all that and a couple hours and a little patience.
My sign ended being a little more rustic that I might have initially envisioned, but if you select a smoother piece of wood for your base, the letters would turn out a little neater than mine.
Make your own :: 1. Paint your board a background color. 2. Write out the quote/verse on contact paper. 3. Cut out the letters and adhere to board. (A ruler and level are your friends!) 4. Carefully paint over the letters. 5. Peel the contact paper off after giving the paint several hours to dry.
If doing-it-yourself isn’t your thing, don’t worry. There are so many places and people who create art which points our minds to truth and stirs up our hearts to Jesus. A few of my favorite sources are Hobby Lobby, Gracelaced Art, and Naptime Diaries.
The last two are wonderful to follow on Instagram for daily encouragement as well. (And while you’re there, follow me too. It’s my favorite place to connect and share).
I hope that you are also enjoying the start of Spring and all the blessings it brings. Getting outdoors, even just on our driveway, always does wonders for all of our moods!
I also hope that you will take the opportunity to be intentional in your decor, and that by doing so, you and your family will be encouraged daily by truths and principles important to you!
I don’t have anything right now, but this definitely makes me want to! It’s hard with a rental home. They are very picky about what we put on the walls, but there are options. Even in our tiny house I could do something like your spoon rest which is so cute. All of your decor is lovely. You’ve done a great job creating an atmosphere of truth and peace.
Thank you Natalie! If you have a Hobby Lobby near you, they have some great options for simple decor! (Not to mention you can always use a 40% coupon).