Welcome, friends.
My heart is heavy as I type these words. Last week's killing of George Floyd saddened us all, and the violence that has ensued since then has further broken our hearts.
I want to share something with you. I've now made three posts on Instagram since George Floyd's death. After posting these, I lost quite a few Instagram followers. I was surprised by that, but since then I've seen a number of conversations online wherein people say things like "I don't want to hear about that," "That's not what I want to see," or "I just want things to be happy and light."
I understand that last statement; I really do. It's all I can do to turn on the news these days. And yet I know from conversations with my friends who are black and brown that the rest of us have too often turned away, too often wanted to move on quickly from tragedy, too often just wanted to focus on something else.
Here's why I am talking about this here. My weekly party is called "Grace at Home," because I firmly believe that we have the power to make our homes a reflection of God's grace. The events of the past several days have reminded me that we have the responsibility to do so. There will be no change in the world if we don't get our hearts right and then make our spheres of influence right.
Each one of us can be a world-changer, one tiny step at a time.
What do you think? I'd be happy to talk about it with you, my friends.
And now I'll share some highlights from last week's Grace at Home party.
Do you find yourself overwhelmed at the start of summer, wondering what you can do this year to keep everyone at home happy and healthy? Coco from The Crowned Goat offers a number of easy ways to ease into summer.
Want to use the long days of summer to complete some projects in your home? How about a beautiful gallery wall? Kristin from White Arrows Home created a gallery wall featuring illustrations from a thrift store book, and she shares all her tips.
If you need inspiration for a little kid's room, check out this construction-themed space from Kimberly at Lou Lou Girls.
Summertime here also means lots of bugs, but Chas from Chas' Crazy Creations is here to help. She came up with several ways to fight pests from inexpensive household ingredients.
Need to remind yourself of God's faithfulness? Jenn from The Everyday Farmhouse created a coloring sheet (free download) to help you.
And finally, if you've been experiencing anxiety, you'll be glad to see that Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares practical steps for overcoming worry.
Thanks so much to everyone who joined last week's party!
Now for today's party. Here at the Grace at Home party, I invite you to link posts about
- DIY projects
- decorating
- recipes
- hospitality
- homemaking tips
- parenting
- marriage
- faith
- self-care
- soul care
Thank you so much for the shout out and feature. Thanks for another wonderful party and I hope you're having a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Chas! Thanks for sharing all your good ideas.
DeleteI think it is so important that we talk about racism in this country. Thank you for mentioning it and thank you for telling us that you lost followers. It’s easy to say things like, let’s all get along, or everybody be kind, and those kinds of things but we need to be aware of the fact that not everyone is treated kindly and that racism and racists do, in fact, exist. It breaks my heart to think that people would unfollow you and it makes me wonder how many other social media accounts will not mention racism just to avoid losing followers...as if followers are worth more than human lives. If I could follow you 100 times, I would.
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind thing to say! Of course, my losing followers is such a small thing, but I thought it was important to take note of the fact. I do think that too many of us have decided over the years to just to go along with things for fear of repercussions big or small. It's time for us to overcome that, I think! Blessings to you.
DeleteThanks so much for hosting each week!! Stay safe, healthy, happy!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Deb
Hugs to you, sweet Debbie! Thank you for your kind presence in the world of blogging!
DeleteI couldn't have said it better, Richella, thank you for posting this. It's so hard to know what to say and I think a lot of people are worried they're going to say the wrong thing so they don't say anything at all. But as you said, it all starts at home and we can all learn more, give each other grace and shine a light on injustice no matter where it resides. I also lost followers but I would be ashamed if I looked at my 3 sweet and brown cousins all of which were adopted at a very young age from abusive situations and said nothing. Sending you hugs and thank yous for the feature, for hosting and for sharing His love, CoCo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, CoCo. Your words mean a great deal to me. Heaps of blessings to you!
DeleteUtterly dumbfounded that readers would unfollow you for posting heartfelt insights about these tragic days. I'm so sorry as I know your heart is bent on compassion and enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteMichele, I hesitated to write about that because of course my loss is so small (it's important to me, of course, but only to me). And yet the unfollowing seems to be part of something larger that breaks my heart. I pray that we can all learn to work together and learn to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
DeleteThanks for sharing this article its really good
ReplyDeleteIf people can spew hate so freely, then by all means please spread love equally. This is not a black battle. It is a battle of humanity.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feature. Yes, we just had this conversation this morning with my homeschool children. They can be world changers, and it doesn't have to be a big movement, just tiny little acts of faithfulness every single day. Ultimately there needs to be a change of heart for a true difference to be made in this world. Only one person can really make that change...Jesus.
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DeleteSo many lovely things to look at here. I'm loving the ways to ease into summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks for speaking up when others would just rather avoid the subject. Speaking the truth always matters and you are so right in your assessment that each of us is responsible for what we teach in our homes and how we love others.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, Richella. My thoughts are that the Lord teaches us to be centered on Him, and to bring glory to Him. I think if ALL of us were less centered on ourselves, and looking to Him for answers in His Word (instead of each other), we would have a lot less heaviness in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm dumbfounded that you had people unfollow you. I guess, for some, the subject makes people feel very uncomfortable...hmmmm. Thank you for hosting and letting me share my polka dot birdhouse #23. I hope you are having a great weekend!
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