My dad just sent me a youtube video in response to my last post. The story of a man who discovered the beauty of his old barn, worn and weathered by the storms of life and time itself. It took a stranger’s eyes with different vision to show this man the worth of his old structure. This stranger wanted to buy the barn and use its well worn wood to line the walls of his new house.
My favorite line of the whole video was when the stranger said to the man, “You can’t buy paint the color of old barn wood”.
Oh, how I love that! There are things that become ingrained in the wood, that make it what it is, that color wood that lovely silver-ish gray hue. It took wear and tear and time and rain and intense heat to produce that color and texture and character. And each piece of barn wood in that structure came out with it’s own unique markings of its history. Its very own brand of beautiful. A different kind of beauty than it originally had, but a loveliness that begs for its story to be told.
Abby and I (yes, Abby is living in Pleasanton now! Thank you, Jesus!) went to the nursing home yesterday for our weekly craft time with the residents there. The analogy of the barn was so evident in the faces of these precious people that time has had its way with. Deep creases, failing eyes, bodies that no longer allow them to walk. Their hair mimicking the color of that barn wood.
But, oh the beauty in that place! Smiles despite non-functioning limbs and missing teeth. Laughter even in their pain.
Every wrinkle carrying a story and every raspy word just syllables away from a tale of long ago. They have lived life and have survived long enough to attain all these beauty marks. They have weathered fierce storms and wondrous joys to get them. Crows feet of happiness and furrow lines of sorrow, all contributing to the character in their faces. And now they reside in that sweet place where their beautiful hearts have outrun their diminishing bodies and minds and shine in a way that nothing can take away.
Needless to say, Abby came away completely in love with these precious living story books. Indescribable beauty attained by life and all it brought their way.
People have asked me if it’s depressing to do this each week – to see the regression and helplessness and know that one day that will be me. And I say absolutely not. It gives me deep joy and the inspiration to live this life in all of its beautiful messiness with all my heart. To savor the good, learn from the bad and never, ever dismiss an ordinary day as unnecessary. All of it is developing my story, my barn wood beauty, compliments of God’s faithful hand at work.
Maybe that new line on my face isn’t so bad after all… 🙂
Philippians 1:6 – And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
James 1:4-6 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
