Whatever is Lovely

In our house, the main living area is a pretty small space consisting of living room, dining area and kitchen. All one room. 

We have a fairly large island with bar stools in the kitchen where we usually eat our meals. The dining table (right next to that island) however, usually ends up being the dumping ground for, well.. everything!

Between my projects and the debris of three kids, it's always such a mess that it really doesn't get used for its intended purpose. It's just a big flat surface to toss things on. 

Today, I'm trying an experiment. What if I filled that table surface with something pretty? What if there was no room for the JUNK?

I decided to try setting a pretty table-and leaving it that way- in hopes that our temptation to let the junk land there will be somewhat curbed. 

 

 

Plotting this experiment to fill a space with lovely to keep out the junk gets me thinking...

Our minds are a lot like this, aren't they? It's so easy to let the not-so-pretty in, and spend lots of time wallowing in it. And I don't think it's enough to just try to avoid letting the bad stuff in.



Every day we see and hear about ugly things. We may even have some very challenging relationships in our personal lives. Without a plan to combat the "mental junk" of our struggles and negative thoughts and emotions, it will inevitably pile up with unhappy results.

In order to effectively deal with the negative junk in our minds, we must make an intentional effort to fill that space with something good and positive. The more we intentionally fill our minds and hearts with life giving, hope filled words, the less space is available for the things that pull us down mentally and emotionally. 

I want you to know that this is something I've wrestled with for years (probably my whole life) and only in the past few have I been able to practice, and see the results of, getting intentional about the good I put into my mind. 

Today I was reminded of this lovely verse from the Bible:

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Filling a space with good and lovely things to repel the tendency to let the junk pile up has been working in my mental and spiritual life for some time. 
I wonder if it is going to work for my dining room table?? I guess we shall see : )


Sharing this week over at:
twelveOeight-Pretty Things! 
The Dedicated House-Make It Pretty Monday 
The Ivy Cottage Blog-Cowgirl Up! 
Homemaker On a Dime-Creative Bloggers Party
Cozy Little House-Tweak It Tuesday 
Vintage On A Dime-Welcome Home Wednesday 
Savvy Southern Style-Wow Us Wednesday 
Timewashed-Blissful Whites Wednesday 
StoneGable-Tutorials Tips and Tidbits 
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson-Share Your Cup Thursday 
Embracing Change-Creative Inspiration 
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home 
Common Ground-Be Inspired! 
French Country Cottage-Feathered Nest Friday