Rag Garland on the cutest Laundry Room Drying Rack
It wasn’t a matter of if but more like when. My first “hater” heckle. Anytime you put yourself out there – your thoughts, ideas, projects and opinions – others will have an opinion of you. I knew it was coming. I have to admit I was certain that the negativity would strike first in regards to my faith.
But no.
The ugliness struck out against curtains. Oh the horror – curtains!!! (more on the curtains here and here)
Ok, so maybe the ugly words weren’t really that bad, they actually made me giggle a little. The first comment said, “no way – those look trashy.”
I hung on this person’s words. Surprised why someone even bothers to take the time to comment on something they don’t like. I rarely have time to comment on all the amazing things I adore.
Do I reply? Leave it alone? This insignificant comment about curtains had my wheels turning. Then someone took up for me by saying, “no need to be nasty – to each his own.” I wanted to shout AMEN sister, but I kindly replied thank you.
Next someone quipped, “they look like rags” in regards to the curtains at hand. Honestly, there is truth to both opinions. The curtains are ripped up fabric based on an idea I had using left over materials. So trash kind of, rags for sure.
What this little episode did for me was much needed. I was reminded how easily I allow the negative to steal the joy of the positive. Isn’t that the enemy’s MO? I LET him do that! Shame on me.
I can’t count the kind words of affirmation I have received about this project, but two slightly off comments derailed me in minutes. As I rested in the awareness of what was going on I felt God speak to me. He knows me well and like any good parent He is merely preparing me.
This is just a taste test, a small introduction of what lies ahead as I continue this journey to share myself and God’s word. It will get worse. The words will be more personal. More frequent. It is easy to lash out from behind the protection of a computer and people, for whatever reason, have no qualms about it. But in this instance God told me loud and clear. Turn the deflation into inspiration. So I did.
Yet another post that has since won some off remarks is my laundry room drying rack. This project has been complete a while, but I have been wanting to spruce up the blank space since I hung it. I didn’t want to paint anything permanent on it because I didn’t feel strongly enough about any particular saying. I was in the midst of a failed DIY banner that didn’t turn out in life like it did in my head when all this mumbo jumbo happened.
Then the negative turned to positive for me. Rags? Trash? EXACTLY what this drying rack needs! Rag garland.
I promptly went to ripping up an old t-shirt (black), an outdated corduroy jacket (pink) and a bed sheet (white). I mixed in some tiny pink rope and stood back, pleased with my hater inspired swag. This is in my laundry/craft room and the one place in the house that I feel no need to hold back on pink. or color. or loudness.
Feeling it needed a little extra sizzle (I have a tendency to overdo) I remembered my $2 Michael’s Store goody bag. You may have seen my treasure trove score on Instagram here. As I pilfered through my prizes not remembering exactly what all I had, I found them. Lo and behold…Black, pink and white tassels. I couldn’t have planned it better if I tried. God smiled on me.
After tying those amazing tassels onto my hater garland I felt joy, love and peace. This is no earth shattering new idea I came up with, but it was something I hadn’t considered pre-commentgate. Call me crazy but taking control of the lies feels good. Romans 8:31 was my laser focus. Friends if you remember anything as you step out in faith remember Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us? This verse never says no one will be against you. Because they will. It says nothing more powerful than God can overcome you. Especially words on a computer screen.
WE, you, me are the ones that hold the power to turn lemons to lemonade, frowns upside down and deflation into inspiration. When you make the choice to say the one in me is greater than the one in the world (1 John 4:4) and I will not let my joy be taken away God will rain blessings down on you. He had those tassels hidden away, weeks ago, knowing they would be a symbol of his love for me, his approval and his protection.
I write this blog post today mainly for myself. I know I am going to need it in the future. So now I have this letter to myself and a cute laundry room to remind me to take the negative and let it inspire me to do great things. Can’t wait to hear the opinions on this one…keep ’em coming. I need all the inspiration I can get!
What symbols of God’s love do you have surrounding you? I encourage you to look for God in the details. He is for YOU dear friend.
Oh – and if you are not a hater it would make my day for you to follow me on Pinterest.
much love, kim
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Really great read Kim! Loved every word and so glad you were able to turn the negative to a possitive by trusting in God.
thanks Shelly!
Want to know something really cool? Today I was jotting down of few things about what who God is to me. One of the things I wrote was “God is for us – Romans 8:31”. Coincidence that I read your post today? Don’t think so! Thanks for sharing you heart and for being able to encourage the rest of us! Oh, and the garland looks fab!
Isn’t God amazing how he works like that!!!???
Kim, I’m so sorry that people were negative but can I just say that I am so beyond thankful for your words today? I needed them. God is so good.
That makes it all worthwhile for me friend! So glad you were blessed, and honestly I am not worried about the ugly words at all!
Love the wall art! Isn’t it amazing that prior to the comments, you probably wouldn’t have been prompted to create the artwork that is now a great addition to this room?
I know right! I LOVE this project, just because of that very reason. Nothing to do with creativity or style, just the meaning behind it!
Oh my goodness! This post reminded me of a similar mean blogger comment situation I was in… where I totally allowed another mean spirited person to steal my joy! I had the fabulous thought to hang thrifted pot lids in my kitchen. I thought they were darling. One commenter did not. In fact, they hated it so much they decided to take time out of their day to tell me so. Crushing. Guess what? I took down the pot tops. I was angry at the anonymous commenter, and mostly angry at myself because I ALLOWED someone else’s opinion to sway my own. What really scared me? If I cave to something so small and insignificant, how quickly would I turn into Peter and deny or take down the things that really matter? Like my Lord Jesus and all that He and His Word stand for? I now take the words STAND FIRM to heart. (1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.) I learned a lot through that time… and I want to thank you for sharing what you’ve learned with us!
thank you Jules for your story. It is so crazy how bent we can get from total strangers…but we are human and it happens to the best of us. I agree though, if we fall for that then what else? That is why I feel God is grooming me with the small stuff first so hopefully I will be better prepared when bigger attacks come. I hope you put those pot lids back up – you are the only one who needs to enjoy your house!
KIM. You are JOKING!! Someone heckling YOU?! I’m seriously in shock over here. BUT- more so I love this post from you 🙂 It just continues to show your heart and sweet spirit. I’m glad to know you in blogland!
your funny. people are quite vocal!!! love you my blogging friend!
Kim–way to go! It’s always a victory when you take criticism and turn it into inspiration! Can’t wait to meet you in real life at Haven!
thanks Rachel – I can’t wait to meet you too. It is going to be so fun!
Haters gonna hate. You are inspirational! Focus on the positive always and when you can’t… we will be here to help!
thanks friend – yall are so great to me 🙂 love The Dish BCS!
Some people’s children didn’t learn that old lesson, “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” This still applies to the “anonymous” world of the internet. Not everyone on the world wide web needs to see your negative opinion. Keep it to yourself.
Kim, I think your creations are cute and “you”! So what if I couldn’t pull off that look in my house, (because we are different people) I can still admire your handiwork.
God bless you today.
thank you for your kind words! I agree – we don’t have to be the same but being nice never does harm!
Don’t let the mean spirited people get you down. My Mom always said “If you do’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Good words to live by. If the curtains make you smile, then they are the best curtains on the planet. I love to paint old furniture and make it fresh and pretty. People have been critical. To them I say: “Haters gonna hate, painters gonna paint!” It makes ME happy to see my thrifted treasures given new life, and I am the one that lives with them. So there (insert sticky out tongue face here).
I love your blog, your home, your spirit, and your heart for God most of all. Don’t let the negative few take your joy.
Hugs
H
Heather – thank you so much. I agree. Can’t late a hater steal your joy. It is funny how bent people get about painting furniture! I’m with you, paint your heart out!!! I appreciate your kind words, they make me smile and multiply joy!
This is genius and I am kicking myself for NOT thinking of it! My Daughter needs some sort of window covering, she has curtains. But I can see the ripped cloths hanging from the middle of her window with tassels. She would love it!
Hi from California, followed you from Southern Hospitality’s Blog. People can hate, but…shake it off,shake it off ! 😉
It is such an easy and bright project…you’ll have to let me know how her room turns out!!!
Loved your story and all your projects. It is so easy to dwell on the negativity that comes our way, but the world is such a beautiful place, and there still are such kind people on the planet, that we are much happier if we look beyond harsh words, for they are only words, and happy is where I want to live!
amen, I agree, people are good, it is so easy to get distracted and we must keep our focus!
There’s an old saying. “One man’s treasure is another man’s treasure.” There’s another saying, “If you can’t say something nice, say nothing at all.” Grace trumps opinion unless opinion is requested.
I couldn’t agree more!
Oops! Typo. That’s “One man’s trash is another’s man’s treasure.”
Re laundry room drying rack…i no longer have mine…moved, no interest in putting up another one, but the one i had flipped down, as does yours, but was made from a window screen with the ‘fabric’ (not wire) type screen. Held sweaters, etc flat , not draped over dowels.
that is a fantastic ide, I bet the screen worked amazingly! maybe next time, lol!
Another well-written post that was just what I needed to hear. Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration! I love how your drying rack turned out – and how God provided in advance for you because He knew you would needs to turn lemons into lemonade. ❤️
thank you Moriah! I appreciate you and God is good!
Just so you know. We love the drying rack. It might find a new home in the pool house because I think it will be perfect to air dry lots of towels. But we use this thing almost every single day and have had lots of comments on how cleaver it is. Let the haters hate. We think you are awesome!
that will be a perfect use for it!!!