Thursday, February 18

Grace at Home No. 413


Hello, friends! I pray you are doing well. 

Here's a photo of me from yesterday which you might have seen if you follow me on Instagram (I would love to connect with you there!).


Our church is currently meeting each Sunday via Zoom, but yesterday (Ash Wednesday) we were invited to come by the church office to receive ashes. I didn't grow up observing the church calendar, and I am still learning how best to use it, but the idea of spending a season on a journey with Jesus to the cross before celebrating the resurrection of Easter resonates with me. So I went and received the ashes. 

It was sobering to be wearing a mask and to hear "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return." I realized that in this season I don't necessarily need to be reminded of my mortality—the threat of serious illness and death is ever before me. But I did need to be reminded that my life is important to God. My friend said, "This year Christians need not only to be reminded of their mortality; they also need to be reminded of their vitality." I think that's exactly right. Do you observe Ash Wednesday and Lent?

I am glad you are here today for the Grace at Home party, where we celebrate all the ways we make our homes places of grace. Here are some highlights from last week's party.

Libbie from A Life Unfolding showed us how she created an accent wall using wood shims. I love the way the wood adds warmth to this space.


Julie from Filling the Jars gave us a step-by-step guide to winter decluttering, and boy do I need this! 


Chas from Chas' Crazy Creations offers so many creative solutions for the home—and this time she shared all the ways she uses rubber bands! You'll be amazed by some of these.


This time of winter always makes me wish for some new dinner recipes. The Lou Lou Girls provided this yummy-looking soup recipe that starts with a rotisserie chicken. I'm going to try this!

Lisa from Lisa Notes provided a really thoughtful post on hindsight bias. I think you'll appreciate reading this.


Thank you to everyone who linked up!

Now for today's party.  Here at the Grace at Home party, you can link up any post you've written that demonstrates how you're filling your own home with truth, goodness, and beauty. I invite you to link posts about
  • DIY projects
  • decorating
  • recipes
  • hospitality
  • homemaking tips
  • parenting
  • marriage
  • faith
  • self-care
  • soul care
Whatever you do to make your home a place of grace, I'd like to hear about it.  Here's what I ask of you.  Please include the permalink to your post, not your blog's home page.  Please let people know that you've linked up.  No more than three posts per person, please.  Note that if you link a post here, you are giving me permission to share your post, including a photo.  And visit at least one of the other party participants--that's what really makes it a party, and during these difficult times, it can really make someone's day! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

15 comments:

  1. So appreciate your thoughts on Ash Wednesday. It's an acquired observance for me as well. We need the reminder that God will meet us in those ashes.

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  2. I've never been to a church that observes the church calendar, so I try to do so myself when I can. I love that your church still offered ashes even though you're not meeting in person yet. I've started reading a 40-day Lenten devotional this week by Paul David Tripp.

    I need to go read Julie's tips on decluttering. Thanks for sharing my post on hindsight bias! Have a great week. We actually have snow in Alabama today so I may venture outside in a bit. :)

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  3. Thank you for hosting, stay safe warm and happy!

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  4. Great spiritual reminder today. I'm so grateful.

    That accent wall is adorable! And I'm headed to check out the decluttering tips right now!

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  5. Thank you so much for hosting! This week I am excited to share my prairie style living room, a late winter tablescape and my cherry chocolate pretzel ice cream cake recipe! Hope you have an awesome week!

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  6. Great thoughts and reminders. Thanks for hosting and enjoy the rest of your week!
    Shelley

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  7. Thanks for hosting, Richella! Also appreciate your thoughts during this time of Lent. Have a great weekend!

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  8. Thanks so much for hosting Richella and for sharing your thoughts. I love that your church gave you that option for Ash Wednesday even during these awful, scary, times. Our churches have been open in a limited capacity for quite awhile now but I am not comfortable going inside yet. I am anxiously awaiting my turn for the vaccine and some feeling of a security back in our lives. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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  9. thank you so much for featuring my chicken enchilada chili! It made my day!

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  10. That's a great reminder in these time.
    Thank you so much for hosting and have a wonderful day!!

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  11. Thank you so much for the feature and another wonderful party. I hope you have a great weekend :)

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  12. Thank you for sharing my shim project, have a wonderful day!!!! :) :)

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  13. Thanks so much for hosting this lovely party!! I appreciate the time it takes to do this every week and to visit all the links and pick out features...Thanks for all you do!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  14. Richella, thank you for your thoughts and observance of Ash Wednesday. Also, I want to mention your IG post “Dream Small”, it really resonated with me. Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

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  15. Thank you for hosting this party! I grew up as a Catholic, so I remember ash Wednesday. Since becoming a born again Christian, I have not ever considered observing it again, it was sobering ritual. Have a great weekend!

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