We all have a story.
Our family has a story.
Our home is a backdrop for our story.
God has a story. The big story.
Makes me think of that scene in Pretty Woman (I think it’s at the end) where the guy says “welcome to Hollywood..what’s yo story..everybody got a story” Indeed. C.S. Lewis said the same thing. A bit more eloquently but same sentiment. I can’t find the exact quote (if anyone knows it please share) but the gist of it was “we all have a story. each of us. and we don’t necessarily know everyone’s story” It makes us complicated people… complex, rich and beautiful people. Our story also makes us unique and our experiences rich. It is who we are to the core. And very important. My friend Clover Carroll also knows about powerful stories! That was is just everywhere lately and is touching my heart.
Nothing will make you think about God and the big story more than seeing a beautiful old tree like this one.
So we have this “lower story” on earth as I heard it expressed so well on the radio yesterday. And God has the upper story. He sees it all. Nothing is a surprise to Him as a wise teacher told me recently. I believe He is interested and involved in our lower story. The mundane.. the not so mundane. He cares about our story. He SEES US as Hagar expressed in the Old Testament. (love that..she called him “the ONE who sees us” one of my favorite lines in the entire Bible). He sees US and He has the BIG picture. It’s not hard for God to care about my sore throat in Texas and big tragedies in Syria. He sees it. He cares. No matter how big or small.
You are probably wondering what this has to do with a decorating blog. I am sure I will get some unhappy emails or unsubscriptions. Talking about faith and God isn’t always popular. That is okay. I have to be true to my story. You see I believe the home and how we live, our story, is intertwined with faith and God in our homes and lives. So to me a decorating and home blog and expressions of faith go well together. God weaves things together for sure. This all came to me on my drive home from Louisiana yesterday. While there working I went to Oak Alley just for lunch and a quick stroll and drove by the River Road plantations. So I was thinking about stories. Interesting stories, dark stories, hard stories from a beautiful and complicated place. Then I heard this speaker on the radio and I knew I had to share about this book and conference.
I want to give a reader two tickets to this event. If you live in or near Houston and would like to go please leave a comment or email me. Just let me know if you would like to go..you don’t have to share some outrageous story though if you want to in comments you can if you think appropriate. Not sure how i will choose but I want to be a part of someone going to this STORY event. Because I believe in stories. They are powerful and important.
And I believe understanding God’s Story is the key to a beautiful home.
Ok enough seriousness..believe me, I KNOW I am not Beth Moore but I wanted to share this.
AND, last but not least, here is a preview of the house I worked on this weekend. Such a fun family and home. I love these people. And this dog..cute huh?
Oh and if you are bummed you don’t live near Houston for this event (and btw I have no connection to this event), check out the Story book here and here. From what I heard on the radio it sounds like an excellent way to understand the Bible and God’s story in a linear way. If you have ever felt overwhelmed by the scriptures this might be a great book. Not replacing the Bible but facilitating your understanding. I want to check it out. Another AMAZING RESOURCE is Anne Graham Lotz’s series called GOD’s Story. I listed to it on CD years ago and its wonderful. Hearing these truths in her elegant and thoughtful way are really great. Many church libraries have CDS like this you can check out and listen to you when you travel. I listened to it back in the day when I worked outside of the home and commuted.
Have a happy week! And remember whatever you are going through, God sees you (Gen 16:13) and cares for you even if it may not seem like it.
For more Oak Alley beauty check here. My iphone pics don’t do it justice of course.
Your post was fitting for me today…I was thinking about life stories too. I just found out an old friend from high school passed away from cancer and it got me thinking a lot about life and blessings. I can see her smile so clearly and feel the warmth of her beautiful spirit. Life passes before us so quickly…we need to cherish every moment! Peace, Holly!
To lighten things up…what is that drapery fabric in your client’s house?! LOVE it!
I am new to reading your blog and instantly was drawn into it because of your decorating style and tips. I think that you are so very right in saying, “understanding God’s story is the key to a beautiful home.” God did indeed create a wonderful story filled with beautiful and unique people as well as beautiful images all around us to look at. We draw inspiration for decorating from God’s creation which he gave to us here in this Earthly home. So in that sense, I see no contradiction at all between a decorating blog and in talking abpout God. It’s all intertwined into YOUR story and that is what this place is all about. THanks for sharing these beautiful images and your thoughts. I look forward to visiting again soon! Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Hello Holly,
I am too busy to find eloquent words….I just wanted to say how much I love this post. I do believe you have a gift from God – to make beauty! I am blessed to ‘know’ you.
Your client’s home looks fresh and pretty.
xo~Jill
I love this post, Holly! Thank you for your words. I love your blog because you mention and express the tension I always feel about design. I love it; I love beautiful things, but yes, you reach a point sometimes where you are like… and does this even matter? I think I have found peace with how it matters in a small way here on earth, but I love that you are always seeking to see things from God’s heart. Makes your blog truly authentic!
Thank you for a Christmas gift idea. It is perfect! And yes, your post IS about home…our home here and our home in our next life. I am no where near Houston, but I did want to say thank you for a beautiful post. And glory what a beautiful tree!! If God didn’t care about our understory, He would not have bothered to create something as magnificent as that.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Lovely. Sometimes I feel like my desire to make things beautiful is shallow and unnecessary, but this post is an encouraging reminder that since God is a Designer and we are made in His image, the story of our home should reflect Him– bursting with beauty and creativity and welcoming love.
What a beautiful post!!! This is exactly why I wanted you to help me with our home. You talk about your faith, being moved to tears in church, and just a genuine love for our precious Savior. I have loved reading your blog for the past several years and really love that you share part of “your story” with us. :)))
Wow sounds like a great event!! Beautiful place
Okay, so I came here like I do every week or so to catch up on dreaming of a beautiful home and seeing the elements you use and hoping that I can call you one day and ask to be a client. But I’ve been lost in my story and the difficult stories of loved ones lately who are hurting. I even just finished editing a wonderful devotional for a minister friend of mine. But my heart is still in a little distress. So I sit down to read your blog and am intrigued because I have written stores since I was a little girl alone in my room. And I weep as I am reading because you have courage to share your faith on your blog. And I needed to hear today that someone still has this faith that God sees and hears and cares about us.
It would bless my heart to win the tickets to the event because I know I need to hear. (And I’m in Texas, not far from Houston.) But I know there are many hurting people out there who may need to hear it even more than I do.
I simply want to thank you for not only sharing your beautiful work and ideas, but having the courage to step out and share what life is really all about.
Blessings,
Victoria in Texas
Holly, I loved your post and your willingness to share your faith with others. And I too feel that home and God’s story are intertwined. God bless your family this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.
I have been reading your blog for quite a while now and this was by far my favorite post yet! I love decorating, but I love my Heavenly Father more! I just lost my Daddy 6 weeks ago and this post was soothing to my soul! Thanks so much for sharing! Now, I love you even more, Holly Mathis!!!
Holly, You are so right on . . . God, family home decor go so well together. What’s a home without God in it. I wouldn’t have it any other way. My favorite saying, “When Gods in the house . . its all good”. I wished I lived near by but I’m in California. We recently found an awesome mega church called “Eastside” in the city of Anaheim. Have a blessed Thanksgiving with your family, Sandy :O)
This was so beautifully written, Holly. Thank you for sharing. One of my favorite hymns is “Blessed Assurance.” The chorus “this is my story, this is my song…” always gets me choked up. So true. God is good. We just have to trust, listen and most importantly encourage each other. Thank you for encouraging! xo
I live too far away for the tickets, but I wanted to share that Don Miller writes about Story on his blog and the book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years is all about story. You should read it. It will change your life.
Bless you Holly, and your story. And blessed is “The Story”. Thank you for sharing with us.
I really understand what yall are saying about that tension between materialism and things of God..it is something i pray about often..i dont want to lead my clients or readers into making idols of things…Its such a delicate balance but i know in my heart God is a creator and he created beautiful things and made me in His image. We just have to strive to keep the main thing the main thing..i love everyone’s comments..a blessing to mE.
and i do like Don Miller, and I LOVE that hymn Seleta..this is my story this IS my song!
Victoria…I hear you about those aching hearts and troubling times. Life can be so hard. But He does see you and loves you. and one day we will be with Him forever in a place with no more tears or pain. God gave us Christ to restore us to that original relationship and purity and happiness of Eden. One day this struggle will be over…and we get to enjoy glimpses of heaven along the way. Like today I got to hold a newborn baby girl..So sweet..truly a glimpse of heaven. I pray you see some glimpses soon and feel his gaze on you!
what a wonderful blog holly. so thankful to have met you this weekend. you are truly a wonderful and talented lady. just talking with you a short time…mostly laughing…you are what you describe…your talents show through your love for family and friends…you will continue to do such great work on the outsides because you are connected in the inside. hope you and your family have a wonderful thanksgiving.
marla
I think you’re wonderful. Great post!
Love this post Holly!! Thankful that you’re “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ”. (Romans 1:16). Blessings on you at Thanksgiving.
Beautifully written, Holly. I think by sharing your are truly being your authentic self – that’s part of your story. I love how big your heart is and the friendship we’ve made this year.
xoxo,
Elizabeth
I follow your blog and just wanted to say that today’s was one of your best. I was so inspired that I even ordered all three of the books you mentioned. Thanks for sharing “your story” with us. God Bless!!
Happy Thanksgiving Holly!
My friend and her family were really impacted by Donald Miller and his theme of writing a good story with your life. I guess, when you think about it, the only thing we have when we close the door on the part of the tree where we live is our story. 😀
I think you’re writing a lovely one. And what a thoughtful thing to do for someone else. Blessings! (Longaberger Lifestyle – just so you connect who I am – teehee!)
Thank you for your boldness in sharing God.
YES! One of the things that sets you apart from the rest is this underlying belief. Even when you do not speak of God overtly, His Spirit still radiates from within you and your work. Do not apologize for sharing your heart here. Today’s post is part of the same cloth as all the other posts that we enjoy. Corrie ten Boom says that we only see that back side of our life’s tapestry while we are on earth. Only in heaven will we see the intended design in its entirety. Meanwhile, we trust the Weaver, study Him, and learn to love Him more.
I needed this today. Thank you.
Holly, Nice article. By the way, that room is making me swoon! I love it. Does it cost a lot to get that type of look? I think I’d love it in my great room, which I’ve been wanting to make some changes to. Thanks! – Anne
Holly, never be afraid to share your heart for our Lord. My family saw this production last December here in Dallas…wonderful songs that bring the Bible’s story to life. So perfect for the Christmas season.
Today I visited My London Flat based on your blog with my friend. We talked about our life “stories” past and current at lunch and our desire to keep life real and authentic and not be held down by things and expectaions of others that we can never fill especially during this time of year. Thank you for your beautiful post and for having the courage to share your faith….our faith is truly the only thing we have that lasts.
Holly,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful faith! It is a true testament to the kind of person you are to be so open. I really appreciate that. I follow Decor to Adore blog, and she wrote the most wonderful post on what God says about decorating
(https://decortoadore.blogspot.com/2012/10/day-28.html)
I am so sad that I have a Christmas party on the 6th, because I would have loved to go to that event. Enjoy!
Thanksgiving blessings to you and your family!
Amen, sister! We all have a story, and our story matters. Proud of you for writing about it amidst home decor and design. It absolutely all goes together. How we decorate our homes helps tell little bits of our story without words. What a beautiful thing! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Love this, Holly!!! I believe in stories, too. It’s the shortest distance to the human heart, and why Jesus spoke in parables.
Would love to be entered in to your drawing.
By the way – I think you are doing an amazing job with your blog – both the decorating side of it, obviously, but also the seemingly effortless way you reach and connect with your readers. You are truly gifted in more ways than you know.
Love keeping up with you. Hugs to your cute family –
Wow, I knew you were a sister in Christ from the comments and posts in the past. But today you literally “fed” me spiritually and encouraged me emotionally. I love a beautiful home. And I believe The Lord wants us to create a “home” that is a comforting, welcoming place for us to love on each other and make memories…..teaching our children of His Love and opening our home and hearts to others. Thank you for the realistic, liveable, lovely spaces you create. But most of all thank you for following the spirits prompting to write this today. When we obey, we can be such a blessing to others, and you have been. LOVE!!!
PS BEAUTIFUL BLUE FABRIC!!!! Im so glad Blue is Back!!!
Thank you for a wonderful dose of “spiritual nourishment”— I became very distracted, however, when I saw the pic of Oak Alley because all I could think was, ” Omg, Holly was right by my house and I didn’t even know!!!!” Of course, right by means a few (20 or so) miles up the river, on the River Road. You could’ve stopped by for some iced tea and design chat……..swing by next time! Love the room; cozy yet lovely.
I hope your throat feels better soon 🙂
Thank you Holly!
Sometimes it’s really hard as a blogger to find the right way to talk about our faith in a world that has become hyper-sensitized (in a bad way) to anything “religious”. I’m glad you shared
Sometimes it’s really hard as a blogger to find the right way to talk about our faith in a world that has become hyper-sensitized (in a bad way) to anything “religious”. I’m glad you shared
I admire you for talking about your faith. I am saddened by the world we live in, that it is okay to be everything but Christian. I don’t have to believe in someone else’s faith to respect it/them. Your story was wonderful, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing your stories and always being so open about your faith!
Just wanted to say thanks for sharing such a beautiful, honest post!
So glad to visit today. I need to know that God is seeing the whole story and I can rest in that. I’d love to visit Houston and attend this event. Thanks for the chance to win.
So glad to visit today. I need to know that God is seeing the whole story and I can rest in that. I’d love to visit Houston and attend this event. Thanks for the chance to win.
Holly, thank you so much for sharing this. I can’t tell you what it meant to me or how much I needed to hear this today.
so true. Great post! It does all go together, thank you for representing that
Thanks Holly, I had saved this one to read when I had time. And since I have a sore throat, today I had time! Thank you for a lovely post. I have looked up the books to add to my kindle!
HI! I live in Houston! The event probably passed by now, and honestly Im not even sure what event it is…but I was surfing pinterest and was super captivated by the picture of that tree. Anyway I’m a 25 year old wife and mother, still relatively new to Houston. My husband and I work at a church, and I’m writing this comment for some reason…why? I’m not 100% sure. There were some key things in this blog that stuck out to me…and my story. Your mention of Hagar, Syria…well its a long story. I feel like I’m rambling 🙂 I’m not a crazy I promise.
HI! I live in Houston! The event probably passed by now, and honestly Im not even sure what event it is…but I was surfing pinterest and was super captivated by the picture of that tree. Anyway I’m a 25 year old wife and mother, still relatively new to Houston. My husband and I work at a church, and I’m writing this comment for some reason…why? I’m not 100% sure. There were some key things in this blog that stuck out to me…and my story. Your mention of Hagar, Syria…well its a long story. I feel like I’m rambling 🙂 I’m not a crazy I promise.
I didn’t read all your comments, but I read enough to know that this post touched hearts…encouraged hearts…praise God.
Enjoying getting to know your heart…and I SO agree….our stories help us develop our homes….no doubt about it.
Love that you shared this! I’m catching up on my blog reading…and I love the book your shared. Yes…..knowing God’s story most definitely helps us in every area of life. 🙂
Just discovered your blog and love your style. I also loved reading about your faith. I had to laugh when you wrote that you might lose some subscribers, I too have written about my faith in the Lord and immediately lost a couple of followers! But, you have just gained a subscriber in me! Blessings to you,
Joan
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