My favorite piece of restored furniture in our home is our coffee table in the family room, that is made from 2 pallets. It’s beautiful. The dark stain is my favorite shade. It embraces my love for Southern charm, yet gives a sophisticated feel to our room (minus the baby bumpers that now adorn it). But that’s not why it’s my favorite. My most prized piece of furniture came from the hands of my husband. You see, he is not a wood-working man. He can build a few things but furniture and wood are not his specialty. Why? Because music is and I love him for that. He can play the guitar and sing to Griffin and to me… And our house feels whole and full of joy. Griff claps, dances, and etches out a few notes that may or may not sound “good”. But they are music to my ears.
Last year, we had just moved into our home. I whined and bellyached because I wanted to get started on our “projects.” One of which was a pallet coffee table. However, Griff was not even one, and I felt like I never handle on my schedule. On Griffins, yes! On my own… No. Every waking (or sleeping) moment belonged to him. Sam mentioned he was going to try building it for me. From what I knew, he had all but thrown his attempt in the trash. But Valentine’s Day, I came home and there it was! Sanded, polished, stained, and everything I had dreamed of! He even had it on casters to make it easy to move out of the way for Griffin! I had never felt more loved or more proud of an object in my life.
The bible talks about true love that is sent by God… And it models His own. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 says “Love is always supportive, loyal, and trusting. Love always perseveres.” And that’s exactly what Sam did. He was supportive of my love for antiques and restoration. He was loyal to the promise he made me about trying to build the table. He trusted God to help him make something beautiful that I would love. And he persevered and sacrificed hours of work and labor to give me a gift of love. And further more, that table is a reflection of Gods love! It has persevered and weathered late night dinners as a couple after Griff is asleep. It’s endured spilled milk and the banging of toys. We’ve trusted it’s sturdiness when Griff is a little too brave and climbs on top. It has held countless puzzles and books that we’ve accomplished together as a family. It has even been the source of a few bumps and bruises for us all. It is our table of love.
Marriage is supposed to be that and more: a foundation of trust and faith in God, perseverance through new challenges and adventures, and wiped clean at the end of each day to start fresh tomorrow. Marriage is always worth the second chance to get messy, worn, valued, and be abounded by love for each other and love from God.
house of stain 