OUR HONORED GUESTS

I was raised in the south, near Nashville, Tennessee.  The rolling hills were home and it was a place where everyone knew your name.  It's where a stranger is an unknown friend, family roots are strong and hospitality is king!  A place where Sunday dinners were an event that brought everyone together around the table.  

I retired early when my husband and I moved to Florida to be near our grown children.  There, I started my second career as an artist, painting custom pet portraits.  And I loved it...until I didn't.  

Life is hard and often cruel.  Our tight knit family was broken and I lost all interest in painting.  In grief, my husband and I prayed.  When one goes astray, we never give up just as Jesus described in Matthew 18:12.  It was hard, and lonely and my heart was hurting.  But then comes the morning where his mercies are new everyday! 

Out of nowhere came a post on Facebook showing a beautiful table with china and crystal and appointments that were dazzling, and it caught my eye.  It reminded me of our wonderful Sunday dinners around the table and my wedding china that I had packed away.  Something inside of me was born that day!  I began digging through my stash of plates and looking through thrift shops for interesting things to add to the table.  Searching for great deals on discarded items brought me joy and got me out of the house.  It was about creating an environment where my heart longed to be and a creative outlet that kept my hands and mind busy.  I joined tablescaping groups and became friends with people from all over the globe.  The window of my world was opened and there was joy once again.  It was God's gift to me, really!  I came to realize that I could be dusted and polished and used for good.  I could shine during hard times and offer comfort during distress.  And above all, I could endure the tests of time with joy!