God Didn’t Create Ugly Colors
My husband and I purchased our first home a few years ago. We have slowly made upgrades, repairs, and changes we felt necessary. The most recent undertaking is the project of painting an accent wall in the living room as well as painting the fireplace. This is one of the first things I wanted to do, but it has taken us almost 3 years to pick out a color!
Sampling Your Options
I went with a friend to pick out paint samples. After a few weeks of careful deliberation, I decided it would need to be a shade of green. Which shade I didn’t know, that is why my friend came with me.
When we arrived at the store, there were about 45 shades of green. All with different undertones and depth. I felt so overwhelmed.
We searched through the store and picked out a few darker and lighter shades to collect and take home with me. I had my heart set on this deep green with a grey undertone. I told my friend in the store “I’m going to take 3 other samples home with me, but this is the one”. The only reason I took them home was to say I did my due diligence. Admittedly, I even brought one home that I verbally proclaimed was an “ugly color”.
After I got home, I taped the samples on the wall where I could live with them for a while and observe how the light reflected off of each one. As I looked at them on the wall, I saw the darkest one (my favorite) very bright against the current white paint. I loved it.
Discerning Your “Ugly Colors”
The next day I woke up, grabbed my cup of coffee, and sat on the couch. I had forgotten the samples were on the wall, and when I looked at them I realized I had fallen in love with the “ugly color”, and was completely taken by surprise. The way it complimented the dark wood and red tile, there was no other color that could compete with it.
I think this is a beautiful way to explain what we mean when we say “In God’s time”.?With time, prayer, and discernment, we are going to come out the other side of our decision with peace and clarity. Sometimes we go into the decision with our minds made up beforehand. But leaving room and space for God to give His blessings and wisdom is what allows each of us to be a vehicle for His timing.
I’m grateful that I’ve finally learned to metaphorically tape the sample to the wall before painting the whole thing. I can’t tell you how many times I have impulsively decided on the color because I thought I liked it, only to paint the room and realize it isn’t the right fit.
Going all in and being loyal to something or someone is a beautiful gift, but I don’t believe it should be done blindly. You have to be self-aware enough to use the experiences you’ve been through and the brain that God gave you. As well as prayerful discernment in some cases, to go in the direction you are meant to.
Even if you do all of this, sometimes you still pick the wrong color. You paint the entire room and sit back and think “But I prayed! But I thought this was right!”
The thing about God is this, He knows there will be times that you paint the room the “ugly color”. He isn’t going to shame you, judge you, or guilt you. But, He will love you. He will pick up your brush, hand it to you, and walk with you as you find the right shade. Keep going friend, He is with you.
Until next time,
Audye
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