A Tale of Two Lamps...and a sweet surprise!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...


She had been loved early in life, but too soon, she ended up somewhere she never thought she'd be - cast off by polite society and sold for a few coins. 

She had lied to herself,telling herself she was content pretending to be something she was not. 


Life had been different for the other lamp. In the beginning, it was good. She lived in a nice home. Later, she was sent to live among young followers of The Way. But even there, in this life, change is inevitable. She tried to hang on to the old ways, but it didn't work. Before long, she was unwanted and destined for the curb.

She tried in vain to reinvent herself. First, she tried a cheerful color. She looked ok on the outside, but deep inside, she was not happy. 

The colorful life she thought she wanted seemed dreary after only a short while. It had not been a good fit. She knew there was an answer out there somewhere. She had seen others who seemed to have it all. She kept looking.


One day after much searching, both lamps ended up at the same place. It was a divine appointment that had only seemed like chance.


They lived together separately, neither experiencing much change for a while. Then suddenly, it happened.


First, one felt the call to a new life. It surprised her how much she wanted it. She never thought she'd like this kind of life - she'd always imagined it would be very boring. She was wrong. 

The new life was a process - complete change did not happen all at once. She knew she was on the right path, but there was still work to be done.

In the beginning, she tried on a variety of hats. Some reminded her too much of her old life. Others seemed like a good fit, if a bit too dramatic. Still, she had a plan she thought might work...

After seeing the positive change in her new friend, the other lamp soon felt the call to let herself be remade from top to bottom as well. 

Though each had taken very different paths, they had both been brought to the same place. It was a place full of joy and contentment. It was a happy place.

After a bit of tweaking*, both found their new lives more fulfilling than they had ever imagined!

Neither had guessed their lives could change so dramatically! They agreed it was a sweet surprise that two lamps with nothing in common now lived happily together. They were both excited about the changes going on all around them - and the parts they would play in their new environment.


* A sweet surprise - I found the blue floral lamp shade at Walmart for under $7. It was the perfect size for my lamp, but the color was wrong - way too bold. I decided to spray paint it with gray Rustoleum primer. I planned to cover it in burlap. As I sprayed it, it began to look like damask! I decided it looked good enough without doing another thing to it! One coat of spray paint on a LAMP SHADE! I like it - what do you think?


The pretty gray embroidered shade is also a Walmart find for under $10. 


I used Krylon satin nickel spray on the brass/green lamp. It covered beautifully! I like the warm silver tone of it. I still have quite a bit left in the can, so you'll be seeing it again!


Word for the Day:


2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!


May you experience abundant grace with each new day!
-Revi

Linking with:

Saturdayhttp://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/ Saturday Nite Special

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/ Show and Tell Saturday 

Sunday

http://my1929charmerblog.com/ Sunday’s Best

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Bloggers Party Hop

Monday

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com Metamorphosis Monday
http://www.craftskeepmesane.blogspot.com/ Motivate Me Monday 

http://www.homemakeronadime.com/ Creative Blogger's Party
http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/ Before and After Party

Tuesday

http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/ Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Wednesday

http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/ Primp Your Stuff Wed

http://restoreinteriors.blogspot.com/ Restored It Wednesday

http://www.thethriftyhome.com/ Penny Pinching Party

http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/ - What’s It Wednesday

Thursday
http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/ Under $100 Link Party
http://savedbysuzy.blogspot.com/ Suzy's House Party
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/ Transformation Thursday
http://thriftydecorating-nikkiw.blogspot.com/ Thrifty ThursdayFriday

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/ Feathered Nest Friday

http://www.remodelaholic.com/ Fridays on Remodelaholic
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/ Frugal Friday
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ Frugalicious Friday

http://www.atthepicketfence.com/ Inspiration Friday

http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/ - Flaunt it Friday