perspective | Holly Mathis Interiors

Before Superstorm Sandy, Good Housekeeping emailed me about doing a little feature on our home and my work. I was excited but the irony of my “not always Good” housekeeping skills and their request and magazine title..well it wasn’t lost on me. The Lord does have a sense of humor. Regardless, I am thankful for the experience. Their editors are so hardworking and nice. Even working from home through the storm and doing all they had to do to get this January issue on the stands. I was impressed with their diligence and professionalism.

Thanks Good Housekeeping for the shout out. But I am reminded during these turbulent times in our country…whether harsh storms or harsh tragedies involving children (many that never even make the news), that I can truly be proud of very little and I should ”boast in nothing but the cross” as John Piper says. Regardless, I do thank the Lord for the blessing of being able to do work I love and for all of the exciting things on tap for 2013 as well as this shout out from a national publication. And thank you for reading the blog and keeping up with me and the changes of the website and things yet to come!

Galatians 6:14

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

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.