Simple Symmetrical Fall Mantel
As I disrobed the mantel I stood back and announced to my husband I was feeling a symmetrical scape coming on. “I don’t like symmetry” he said. “Me neither” I replied.
We are not people who decorate or do much all in a row, balanced and in symmetry.
It’s just not in my wheelhouse. Nonetheless I plugged on scavenging my house for anything in sets of two. My source list is below.
The lack of balance isn’t only in my decorating. It’s a reflection of my life at times. We all struggle with balance.
When I look at the one pinecone in the middle of this fall mantel it represents Christ in our life. All else should radiate outward from there. The bowl and platter are our family and friends. Moving to the outer edges, our other to-dos hang out there. Perched on top of those pumpkins. Piling up and up and up.
One more to-do and BAM – out of balance.
As I marinated on this mantel scenario the last few days I waited for God to tell me what to do about this problem we all have. The problem of getting our self out of symmetry. Tipping the scale out of whack.
This morning I had the rare occasion of waking up all alone in my house. My people scattered out in various places. When I opened the back door to let the dog out I was greeted by the first cool morning of Fall. I decide to plop myself outside to enjoy my coffee and soak up this surprise gift.
That’s when I saw my little friend. A hummingbird that has racked up some frequent flier miles back and forth to the flowers on our back patio.
Have you ever tried to photograph a hummingbird?
I’m sure you can imagine – there is nothing easy about it. As I sat and prayed I kept my camera close by and tried repeatedly to get a good shot of greased lightening.
“I wish she would just sit still for a moment, ” I thought, “so I could see how beautiful she is.”
And there you have it.
That’s what God wants for us to do. He wants us to just sit still every once and a while so he can relish in us. There in lies the key to balance.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:24
When we sit still at the feet of the King and ask him to search our hearts He will show us where we are out of balance, spinning our wheels, being busy at things that hold no eternal value. Only God can truly master our schedule and to-do list. Christ alone can call out and cull out the frivolous, busy work in our life.
Today make time to be still, asking God to reveal the things you need to let go and shed light on what needs more attention. His answer may be challenging, but a life in balance is so much more rewarding than one that is out of control. A schedule run through God’s hands is never heavy or off kilter.
I did get a picture of the flittering hummingbird. She was glorious to watch as she went about her work. But wow, was she a sight to see a rest.
The garland is trim, removed for a $5 garage sale gold damask comforter. You’ll see more of it later. You can check out a pillow made from it here. The pinecones were collected by my little hunters on a junk outing with friends. The white finials are from the footboard we made into a bench. The gigantic shell casings used to hold the pheasant feathers are from a Round Top excursion. The pumpkins are fake. Mainly because real ones aren’t out yet and I’m impatient. Also because I got them for 50% off at Michael’s. They had cute white, black and these orange ones. The sewing pattern flowers are always laying around my house. My son found the ginormous acorns last year and I’ve held on to them because they are incredible. The aluminum bowl and cup plus the large white platter are $1 each from garage sales.
In case you would like some extra inspiration today…here is a great Fall Ideas Tour you can check out. There is a little something for everyone in this talented filled tour!
Monday
Postcards from the Ridge | All Things Heart and Home
Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer | Domestically Speaking
Prodigal Pieces | Housepitality Designs
Mad In Crafts | My Creative Days
Tuesday
Refresh Restyle | 2 Bees in a Pod
Fox Hollow Cottage | Artsy Chicks Rule
Our Southern Home | Restoration Redoux
Savvy Southern Style | Atta Girl Says
Wednesday
H2OBungalow | Cottage at the Crossroads
Today’s Creative Life | Dukes and Duchesses
Hunt & Host | The Interior Frugalista
Sweet Pea | Petticoat Junktion
Thursday
AKA Design | At the Picket Fence
Town and Country Living | Cupcakes and Crinoline
I needed this one this morning, especially the part about running my schedule through Gods hands. Why do I try to do it all???? Thank you my friend. Now I’m headed to patio to watch my hummingbirds.
I’m so glad! Don’t you just love those quick little birds???
Such a great post. I think that brisk fall morning this weekend was just what I needed to make me sit and be still and just soak up the moment. I spent probably 2 hours reading on my back porch and it was amazing.
That is amazing…and such a gift!
Beautiful fall decorations!
Wonderful message too about running things through God’s hands – running our schedules by Him first!
Always love the way you tie everything together.
Hope you have a blessed day today~
Melanie
Thanks Melanie! I appreciate your wisdom friend! love you posts too!!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE everything in this post! thanks sweet friend!
🙂 I was thinking of you today!
I just love reading your posts at the end of still very hectic days. God has give you a truly calming voice. I thank Him and you for using that voice. Many blessings to you!
Fran, your words made me giggle…I am so
not
calm….that’s how I KNOW that God is speaking though me because I am truly not a calm voice on my own! Isn’t He amazing how he speaks so personally to each of us??
Dear Kim, I am new to your blog and I am so very happy to have found you. 🙂 Your post today is beautiful!!! Such godly wisdom. I really needed to hear it. Thank you so much for your loving heart! May our Lord’s sweetest blessings be yours!
xo,
Libby
Thank you so much! I can’t tell you how thrilled I am this message speaks to others…I am the one who REALLY needed it!!!
I’m a new visitor from RaRaLinkup and I’ll have to tell you I almost forgot to comment after I got on your beautiful site. I read your fall decorations post, toured your house and signed up for your email. And I want to share why – because your love for your family and God shines through in all you do !!!! Your insightful posts spoke to me in a deep way to pause today and value what I really have and to push towards the things I value for the future – (my goals too are family, friends, and the Lord.) Thank you for the encouraging site and may you have a blessed day. PS – I sew and the pumpkin with the pattern flowers was soooo cute !!! Thanks for sharing your heart.
Rebecca! You words are so welcome and needed today! I appreciate you taking the time to reach out. I have so much fun in this space. I love my family, but I am amazed daily that the Lord has chosen to use me like he has. It’s so fun and I am so grateful. I’m a flawed soul that desperately wants others to enjoy the freedom in forgiveness and to be called out like I have been. It is wonderful. So glad you will be following along! Please stay in touch. That sewing pumpkin was so amazing…Patina Paradise is my kind of girl!
So glad I stumbled upon your blog today through the #RaRaLinkup! I love the home decor element, but I also love the spiritual aspect included too… what a powerful message for the week!
Thankful for you, and blessings!!!
thank you! I hope everyone that visits get feed fresh ideas and the Word! So glad you stopped by!
Lovely mantle and beautiful sentiments!
I felt like I was looking at a magazine and drooling over the fall decor. Then your inspiring words, scripture and putting God in every aspect was my devotion for today! Truly beautiful. I HAVE to feature this next week on Tuesday Talk for my fall theme. So thank you for making my job easier. I was praying earlier and asking God what theme He would want me to do next week – and expecting His answer later in the week, here it is. Sooner than later. Lovely post. You have a gift. I know I’ve said this to you before, but really.
God definitely has his own timing! I am so glad His message blessed you today. You know I always appreciate the sharing!! Thank you for your kind words today 🙂
Your post was a wonderful reminder for me, and I definitely needed it today! As for your mantel-STUNNING-just STUNNING! Thank you for sharing at The Wonderful Wednesday blog hop! I’m your newest follower!
thank you! I am always honored when someone new follows along! So glad you liked the mantel.
Oh I love your mantle. I especially what you said about the pinecone in the center. I love the yellow fringe. Very cool. I’d love to invite you to come over and link at The Fabulous Fall Party. I’d live to feature your post! Come over and join the party. It was very nice meeting you.
XXOO
Hi Sherry! Glad the mantel spoke to you 😉 I will check out your party, thanks for the invite!
Beautiful and most creative mantel…I love symmetry, yet prefer asymmetrical. Loving the beautiful sentiment in this post. I am anxiously awaiting the Fall season, as it seems to be the time of reflection for me…to stop and smell the roses and the crispness in the air.
Love it! Beautifully done. Simple and lovely. Fall is my favorite season. 🙂 Stop by my blog tomorrow to peek at my Fall Home Tour.
Lory
http://www.therobinsnestdesigns.com
What a lovely post and one with much truth. I wrote something similar recently, it seems like we’re all looking for Fall to bring us more quiet and peace. I wish that for you as well! Beautifully done. Thanks for sharing at the Pretty Preppy Party!
Kim, thanks for sharing this with me over on Blogtalk 2.0! I will be sharing your mantel tomorrow! Good to hear from you!
Thank you so much Chloe! Happy fall 🙂
Hi Kim, I am new to your posts and this blog spoke to me this morning as I am so much like the hummingbird, flitting around!! But unlike him it seems I get little done because I omit that talk with my Father about what I truly need to be doing and then my life becomes that asymmetrical mess! Thank you for the reminder of how important it is to take everything before Him!
I would love to use your blog as a devotion for a committee meeting I am about to attend, with your permission. Thank you!
I am so glad this was helpful to you Brenda – and of course, you are welcome to use the post! Thank you so much and welcome – happy to have you here!