How this FREE dresser finally got a makeover
When you love junk and old furniture as I do and you make it as widely known as I do your phone will ring and texts will come telling you about discarded treasures. They are some of my favorite notifications. My close friend was gifted with a house full of furniture from her uncle (don’t we all wish for a relative like that!?) Anyway, this meant she was getting rid of tons of her old furniture. When I saw this dresser, I had to have it. I mean look at the hardware. Some girls are a sucker for diamond and gold jewelry; I’m a sucker for furniture jewelry. Luckily for my husband, it’s much cheaper. 😉
I promptly went to her house and loaded up this beat up beauty into the back of my car, not even waiting for my husband to help with his truck. I was scared someone else might snatch it as she offloaded a whole garage full plus some of furniture. When I got home, I stuck the dresser under my porte-cochere and left it there until I could figure out exactly what I was going to do with this FREE gift. Sure, it needed a little TLC, but I appreciate a good project. I was thinking of a spot in the living room or more likely an undecorated corner of my bedroom. Life happened and the dresser sat.
Then Hurricane Harvey hit Texas. As you know that storm was a big one, causing catastrophic devastation across the south. Our family was blessed to have no major problems besides a ton of rain. Well, except for the free dresser. The sideways rain reached under the covered carport and after being in the damp dank outdoors for so long, the dresser warped, peeled and cracked. It lost all chance of an easy makeover. The veneer was buckled, and the entire top warped almost completely off.
What in the world was I going to do with this thing now? I took more time, and the state of the union got worse. Finally, I decided to forgo the major overhaul it needed at this point and move the dresser to the front porch. I would likely never put a perfectly good conditioned dresser out there for fear it would ruin, but that ship had already sailed here. Another month passed and I finally decided to paint the now-defunct dresser.
After chipping away at the veneer and wood already hanging on by a thread, a fresh coat of chalkpaint brought a worn and weathered freshness to this piece of furniture. It’s been a while since God and I talked over a quart of paint, but as I stroked my brush I asked God what the lesson was for me in this dresser. I knew an important story was buried in the layers of chippy veneer. And he quietly told me to look at the other free gifts I disregard.
I know exactly what he means. I would have never gone to the store, paid money for a dresser and came home and left it outside even if it where under cover. I would have stored it in my house, away from the threat of a storm, until I found a spot for it, careful not to bang and bruise the new furniture as I moved it through my home. But free. Well, there is really no loss there. No skin in the game. I completely and utterly took this gift for granted. The good news is, all was not lost. I was able to salvage the dresser and use it in what I think is a super cute and fun way. But what gift am I overlooking? What gift are you overlooking? What was God referencing? I think I know…
You see each one of us is created uniquely with a special set of gifts and talents. We each hold a gift that God lovingly places inside of us and us alone. No one else can do exactly what it is you can do. Your talent is not your own. It was given to you by a loving father with nothing expected in return. But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
Nothing is lost in God’s economy. The talent you harbor inside, the special gift you hide away until you have time for it later…it’s never lost. But it is up to you to pull the free gift you’ve been given into safety, into the light and into use. You can bet a storm will surely come. Maybe a Cat 5 already hit you and you think there is nothing left to offer. I often wonder, why do we hide or downplay the talent God gifts us with? Why do we belittle our talents? Why do we put off using our talents? Why do some act like they have no talent at all? That is NEVER true. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Guess what? If you are good at something it’s not because of your own doing but because God chose that gift for you. It’s God’s way of individually blessing each one of his children and it’s through this gift that we are to bless others. This twist of a circle always amazes me. God gifts us so we can gift others, but the way we are called to gift fills us up and blesses Him. How crazy loving is that? What a kind father. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, Ephesians 6:7
He doesn’t ask us to serve in ways that feel like torture, no he assigns each one of us a unique role to bless his kingdom. Do you ever sit and wonder what the point is?She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. Proverbs 31:17 Do you ever wonder what you can do to serve God and his kingdom? You needn’t look further than your craft closet or hobby list. I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. 1 Corinthians 7:7
Sister, if you can cook then love your people through your kitchen, if you can quilt then sew up some love, if you can dress to the nines then help cloth a clueless girlfriend, if you can sing then come to my house and serenade me (oh how music fills me, but I truely have no talent here!). We have to stop taking our gifts for granted. We have to stop making it harder than it is. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:4-6
We need to be able to say, “I am good at _______!” Because God made us that way, not out of puffed up pride, but out of gratitude and praise. Own that gift, share that gift, serve with that gift and show thanks to a generous father who desires goodness for you all the days of your life. It’s never too late to pull your dresser from the storm and put it to work. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
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Thank you for the reminder on our God given gift. I was tired of being hospitible after much company and food prep. I feel refreshed and ready to use my gift of hospitality
Bertha
So glad to hear this Bertha, it can be exhausting to pour out and I am glad you took a moment to refresh and start ready yourself to go at it again.
I love the lesson you received from this lovely chest! We serve an awesome God and I take for granted the gifts He has given me!
Yes! we do and I so often do too. I let the comparison game shadow the gifts God gave ME. Merry Christmas to you!
Your words were beautiful. I love that you love God. I wish everyone knew him. I pray it every day. I love that the old dresser has it’s purpose under the sun. And it does look beautiful on your porch. Thank you for sharing your faith.
That is a beautiful and much needed prayer, thank you for your perseverance. thank you
A wonderful post, thank you.
🙂 so glad you enjoyed it
Lovely, lovely! And the pulls are too! Xo
thanks friend and I adore those pulls!
I was truly blessed by your beautiful words today. They spoke directly to my heart. I’m happy that you are a sister in Christ.
so thankful they spoke to you sister!
Your post is beautiful and so is our snow blessed College Station!!! What a beautiful gift God has given us! Thank you for sharing your faith!
Isn’t it amazing, I literally got teary as I drove the kids to school today. It is just so beautiful here!!!
Thank you for that reminder.
you are welcome and it was much needed for myself!
Luv these Spirit-led words and the beat up dresser! God is the master craftsman & we are His cherished workmanship! (Jeremiah 18:1-6, 2 Timothy 2:21 & Ephesians 2:10)
Love the way God is using you for His Kingdom! ❤️
DOesn’t that make you feel so special to be crafted and chosen by one who loves us so specifically? Never gets old to think about! 🙂
Love your post today. Great reminder especially durning the holiday season. Just what a lot of us needed to hear. God bless you!
I needed to hear it! Merry CHristmas!
Kim, beautifully put!!! Thank you for your insight. Blessings and smiles, Emilou ????
Thanks so much Emilou blessings to you
I needed to hear this! I know God loves me and I take Him for granted a lot! This gave me something to think about. Your dresser is lovely and the snow was beautiful here in Houston too! Merry Christmas!!!! I’m
wasn’t the snow a treat! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
During this season is is especially important that we recognize, remember and accept the free gift that God sent to us in the form of a baby, His one and only Son. Thank you, Kim, for your time and your thoughts. You are a blessing!
you are a blessing to me sweet one!
I’m so sad the top was ruined! But, I too take for granted what God has given me. The dresser looks beautiful on your porch. I am working on the ugliest futon now, trying to give it new life in a farmhouse way. And yes, it’s a hand me down.
wow – I bet a futon makeover is some work, hope it goes well. show me when you are done. I’d love to see it!
Thank you for the reminder that God has given each of us our own gifts. I too take mine for granted – I needed this kick in the pants!
Merry CHRISTmas!
I could use a kick in the pants daily, lol. so glad you enjoyed the message!
Truth be told – me too!!!
Think I needed a good kick in pants.was upset with myself yesterday,among other times too many.Due to arthritis, nerve damage from an accident in 98 my hands and arms don’t work well at all. Have hard time even dressing myself sometimes. I love to craft, do lots of hand work but have such a hard time at it these days. Thank you for reminder of what God has given me, no more sniveling,lol. I suffer from depression and anxiety and the holidays are often upsetting for me. Again, no sniveling.
Merry Christmas
The holidays can be so rough, I understand! I need a kick in the pants often! I pray you will see all the blessings surrounding you this year and allow joy and peace to seep in your heart, Merry Christmas to you!!!
Beautiful, Kim! I wrote a similar story about a dresser years ago, “Rejected by a Friend”…will have to dig that out and remember. Thanks for the reminder that God is good and has blessed us with many gifts we can use for his kingdom! Have a Merry Christmas!
I would love to read that! Merry Christmas to you!
I couldn’t have read this at a more fitting time. Kim, thank you for the gift in this message – it’s been dark but you just gave me a flicker of light. xo Merry Christmas!
Holidays are often dark for me, I hope the light shines bright for you this year friend!
I so needed to hear these words this morning. I was just thinking of my kids and what each was good at, their own special talent. I want to encourage each of them to use their talents. I have one that is meticulous in what he does. This weekend he cleaned my stovetop. Took him all day, but it is cleaner than it’s ever been. It makes me smile each time I look at it. Thanks for your words, a great reminder. That’s another one of your talents to refresh us on His words.
You are so kind. I love that your boy is loving on you through acts of kindness. It’s so hard sometimes to encourage people on who they are instead of who we are or who we think they should be. You are doing great!!!
What a breath of freash air to read this post. I just ❤️ The Lord and ❤️ How you honor our Father. I to have been creating since I was a little girl. Didn’t have the opportunity to future it with education. Always felt like I just didn’t measure up because I lacked education. I too yard sale, pick trash, garden, create etc…. amazing how the lord works and encourages us through others. So happy and over joyed that I found your site. Many Blessings sister!!😊
HI VIlma, that lie about needing an education is a fierce one, DO NOT let it lie to you! You are enough!!!