The Bench

The Bench

I’d suppose to a type- A person, that this would look a whole lot like a dumping ground. I’d even guess that some of my friends would have insightful ideas on time management or creative ways to keep the clutter down. Did you hear, dumpster fire when you read that?

But yall know I’m… different.

They’re right of course, still.

I could manage my time better. I could enforce rules more effectively, and Lord knows I could certainly donate a few items to the Goodwill.

But this bench in my entryway tells a story now.

And while I will most certainly tidy it up at some point today before the rush and beauty that is Thanksgiving, for just a moment, I want to revel in its beauty.

I would love to tell you it has some incredible story of how it belonged to some old little white church on a hill somewhere, where hymns were sung with conviction and potlucks were had for every occasion from Christmas to Meemaw’s funeral, but alas…no. My sturdy white pew bench came from Hobby lobby.

I mean if you think about it, Hobby Lobby is a whole lot like a church, now isn’t it?

I loved it from the minute I saw it and I had to have it. Even though the church that I grew up in didn’t necessarily have benches like this, it instantly made me think of the good times I did have in church or random memories I made with family and friends at different times & it brought back a sense of nostalgia, that I suppose never really existed in some aspects, but I always envisioned. I’m a dreamer and a thinker of sorts, but mostly a cluttered brain, and into my SUV, it went instantly.

I couldn’t wait to make it the “perfect picture spot” and I did just that. I remember dressing Hannah up in some frilly little outfit and making her say “cheese.” That picture hangs on the wall this very day.

But as the years have gone by, I suppose it didn’t stay exactly picture perfect. However, today’s picture is the exact one I’m choosing to share with you all.

This bench tells a story.

This particular moment it tells me of a beautiful teenage girl who has such confidence that she’ll try just about anything at her brand new high school. Cheerleading here is more like a participation sport than a competitive activity. I love it like this. Small, inclusive…fun. Non stressful.

It reminds me how my sweet girl has  so much potential, so much beauty, so much joy, & so much creativity. A girl who was homeschooled her whole life but gets to live life very differently now. A reminder that we are afforded choices…

It shows me that my husband has just recently flown in. His things are strewn from one end of this house to another but of course it all begins with the bench. Tools, bags, whatever. It’s there. And it’s been entirely too long. Maine is too far away. And I’m getting too old for this at times…. But a grateful heart remains. His job is stable and his paycheck meets our needs. A beautiful reminder of God’s grace and redemption, for sure.

And I see oddly enough, there is room on the bench.

And that’s a good thing. Because our oldest is hopping on a plane in just a few moments headed home to have Thanksgiving with us. This will be the first time he’s ever returned home from ever having gone anywhere of any distance. It’s a big deal. He’s growing into an amazing human. Kind-hearted, intelligent, and pretty much everything you would want a son to be.

So the stories here are surely cluttered & messy just as they appear, but beautiful,

nonetheless.

I sure do hope that one day soon, I’ll see something that belongs to you, here on our bench too.

Can’t wait to hear the stories you bring with you…