I woke up from night shift, drank my Spark, and got to sanding a furniture piece today. I realized how much I enjoy the process of sanding by hand with good ol’ sand paper. There is something about watching old paint or stain blend down to see the raw wood shine through. Sanding is a preparation for what’s to come. It’s making the core ready to soak in new beauty and new color. And sometimes sanding is done to make sure some of that original wood shines through.
I think we are all sanded at different points in our lives. God uses His own version of sand paper through trial, tribulation, maybe fear and doubt, and quality time spent with Him to either prepare us to fully soak in what’s coming ahead…OR to let our core shine through when we need it most. Sometimes we forget that our true self is just as beautiful as a new facade that we aim for.
Think about the pearl… It’s beautiful, classic, elegant. But what did it look like before sand creeps in its encasing shell to slowly grind off that outward dust, dirt, and rock? It probably wasn’t as beautiful as what was beneath the surface. I love the quote “No Grit, no pearl,” because it takes that sanding process to give you the end result.
Women (and men) are quick to want to change so much about themselves:physically and emotionally. Men, I won’t discredit you, but it’s usually women who see such distorted views of themselves. And there’s nothing wrong with aiming for improvement to be the best version of yourself. Lord knows, I do! But don’t lose that pearl inside of you that God so beautifully created. And don’t lose hope through the sanding process. God is merely preparing you to shine with classic beauty that is valued and loved.
Love yourselves. Know your strengths. Let go and let God sand off that outer dirt, that doubt, and that fear. Embrace your inner pearl and that inner original GORGEOUS wood that’s just waiting to peak through!
house of stain 