Whether you come here often or this is your very first visit … I’m really glad you’re here! I pray I can bring half as much encouragement and joy to you as you do to me. “Thank you” hardly seems adequate, but I will say it: Thank you!
You know, here in Blogland, there’s a lot of talk about restoring things. Some of you are fantastic at restoring old furniture. (I really admire someone who can make that look so easy … I wanna do that!) Some of us restore houses … or clothing … or linens. If you’re new to My Place, you’ll soon learn that I often talk about restoring vintage linens.
Sometimes here in Blogland we talk about restoring bodies … or relationships … or faith. Sometimes I talk about restoring children.
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The whole idea of restoration amazes me. I recall a time years ago, in my mid-20s. I was working as a secretary, and in the middle of typing an important document, there was a power surge … and my document disappeared. It was the first time I ever had to try to restore something on the computer. Wish I could say it was the last! I’m happy to say that I was actually able to restore what I’d done … but I experienced something in the process that has stayed with me for the past quarter of a century.
I’m not really sure what I thought would happen when I held my breath and told my computer to RESTORE. I suppose I thought my document would (hopefully) just reappear.
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It did … but not at all as I’d expected. You see, the cursor appeared at the top of my screen, and the document automatically retyped itself right before my eyes. Letter by letter … typo oops! … backspace … corrected letter by letter … tab by tab … until it came to the end. Even as I watched, transfixed by the replay, I was struck by the significance. Restoration didn’t wipe away the past. The end result was great … but my mistakes and changes were all still part of the document.
Perhaps at the time it was most significant for me because it brought hope. You see, I was in the throes of an undesired divorce with two young daughters in the middle … and I was trying to make heads or tails of a difficult situation. Even as I looked for answers, sometimes doubting what I believed to be good past choices, I could only wonder how the situation would play out; what the future would hold. The present certainly wasn’t good.
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And then my faithful God stepped into my heartbreak … via a lost document on my computer. I suppose you could even say I experienced a Power surge as He showed me … through those silly correcting-themselves typos on the screen … that the past would always be part of my life. It would never go away. And one day … someday … my present would be in the past. And it would always be there, too … in the experiences, the memories, the ups and downs of relationships.
From the day I was born until the day I die, every event of every day is layered on top of each other to make me who I am. To give me a unique filter through which I see the world. To provide me with a particular set of life experiences that I could use — or not — to interact with people around me. To a great extent, it was my choice what the future would look like. That day, God gave me hope that, by accepting my fragmented reality, I could make choices that would positively impact the future for myself and two little girls.
Obviously, since I’m still alive, I don’t yet know what the final document of my life looks like. But I do know that God was gracious and faithful to bring restoration during that period of my life … and in others since … and He’s ready and waiting to do the same for you, too. You just have to ask.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)
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While we’re on the subject of restoration …
Restoration Linen Cleaner is perfect for restoring linens, christening gowns, baby clothes/blankets, wedding dresses. As long as the item isn’t silk or wool, the possibilities are endless! Click on the Vintage Linens tab at the top of this page and choose Restoration to read more!
I’ll be joining:
Blue Monday at Smiling Sally
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
What perfect timing! I just bought a box of linens – bright printed as well as embroidered vintage tablecloths, pillowcases, and doilies. I got them for a song, but they definitely need a good cleaning. I follow through Google friend connect, and really enjoy your blog 🙂
Hey,Susan~ Well, I don’t sign up for many giveaways but I will sign up for this one. I actually have two pieces I would use it on. One is a “piano” shawl that belonged to my hubby’s grandmother. The other is a piece from my mother’s linens. She didn’t have many and she used what she had. I would really like to brighten the linens up. Thanks for throwing my name into the mix. Blessings- xo Diana Ummm…I guess I just follow you through Google? You come up on my blogger dashboard. duh…you know me and computers—I wish mine could restore half the stuff I have Undone by mistake-
Susan: I am Nancy, appearing on the right hand column of Restoration comments. Everyone should know that this is a wonderful product; I used it on an almost 40 year old christening gown of French batiste, all handmade, and it looks brand new. Love your blog, and the product!
Nancy
I have always lived in “FEAR” when it comes to the restoration of my antique linens. I’ve learned to live with the “shades of OLD” coloring they come with. I would LOVE,LOVE,LOVE to try this… Count me in on a chance to win this!!!
I DO follow you AND even have you linked to my email!!! LOVE your posts!!!
Thank you for a chance to win,
Have a wonderful week,
Hugs,
Donna
Nice devotion. Thanks for sharing your blues.
Happy Blue Monday, Susan.
After getting this all out, perhaps you will feel better about everything. We have to take one day at a time and make it the best we can. You are stronger now and can handle things. Just hang in.
Great post and very interesting..
Visiting from Blue Monday- hope you can stop by..
http://www.cassandrasminicorner.com/2012/08/toy-story-sharpa-blanket.html
Delightful photos.
Visiting from Blue Monday..
Elephant Ride is my BLUE, would be delighted for your comment. Have a great week ahead.
I just signed up to follow you via Google Friend connect! Your blog is interesting and I look forwarding to it! The item I want to restore is baby clothes. My son and daughter-in-law are having their first child in October. I went into my cedar chest to pull out all of the little things I saved from when my son was a baby. I was very dismayed to find so many stains on many of them. I think it may be from formula.
You’re the lucky winner! Please email me with your name and mailing address so I can send the Restoration to you.
Susan, I mean this with all sincerity that this is one of the most divinely inspired pieces I have EVER read in blog land. I just love it. I’m slow at getting back in blog reading for who-knows-what reason, but I have been so blessed this morning. First, Janette’s Sage provided a beautiful song about being redeemed, and then BAM… you write beautifully about being restored. I love it and really, really need both posts.
As to following? I stalk you via google friend connect. I might follow on that linky thing too, I can’t remember. I always come via GFC. As to restoration? We have a whole trunk of vintage linens at my mom’s house, some of which need restoration. Plus, I have that whole linen addiction thing you know.
It’s good to be back and better to be so blessed by your words. Well done.
I’m a new follower who has heard a lot about this product in Blogdom. I have many vintage dresser scarves, gloves, doilies, and linen napkins that I would love to see renewed.
Found you on Vee’s Note Card Party. I’m following now, and will be using this product for the vintage linens I buy for resale. Sounds like just what the doctor ordered!
What a wonderfully inspirational post. I needed that as I am going through a heartbreaking episode with my only son. Please pray for us. I have to believe in restoration today and for his healing. Thanks you for sharing your heartfult thoughts with us.
Letting you know I am a longtime follower through GFC andI have a couple of stained vintage linen runners that could use this product.Thanks for your generosity.
Blessings, Ginger
Of course, I’m a follower, and I would love to use the Restoration Linen Cleaner on some of the wonderful old linens that I’m constantly bringing home from estate sales. Thanks for the opportunity! Cherry Kay
I follow. oH i would love to try it.. the napkins arrived today and are as white as snow.. I have some that need that tlc! thanks for the gracious chance.. xo marlis
I have some lovely vintage damask tablecloths, some with matching napkins, that could use freshening. And by fretting, I do mean serious help! I follow you with Google friend connect.
I follow through Google friend connect. I have several antique tablecloths I would like to restore. –Karen
I follow by email. I would LOVE to try this product. I just finished cleaning out my parents’ house and selling it. My parents and grandparents are all gone now. While cleaning out the house I found beautiful old cotton sheets, tablecloths, napkins, a ton of doilies crocheted by both grandmothers and two quilts I have never seen before in my life. Everything is yellowed and some have stains and I would dearly love to bring everything back to what they were originally and use as much of these items as possible. I’m Candian and would pay for the international shipping if I win. Sharon
slbolderson@hotmail.com
i like your lightning pictures. nice shots. sorry for the l8 visit, hope you could visit my Blue Monday here: http://www.memorylanebymel.com/memory-lane-monday-27-clinton-square-park-travels-at-syracuse-part-1/