Prayer and Spray Paint

After two days of fun, but hard work (and no computer time)…I am so happy to report that every wall & ceiling in our home that presently needed painting has now been painted! Furniture is still pulled to the middle of the floors, but the walls are done and drying…and I got to start my favorite craft… spray painting!

We’re redecorating our house on a “smaller than a shoestring” style budget. I call it the “Prayer and Spray Paint” method of decorating. 🙂

Seriously ~ We know that our Lord Jesus loves us and cares about every detail of our lives. So… if we’re decorating or redecorating, or trying to remove a stain, or paint our toenails, or fix our lipstick… if we care about it, so does God.

He is BIG enough to carry the burdens of the world, of those hurting, of our own seemingly overwhelming circumstances, and of those little, what we call “insignificant” decisions. Because if it matters to us, it matters to Him. And we’re not being selfish by asking for His help. God is not limited by time, space, or energy like we are. He IS enough for all of us and for all of our needs. And He desires to be a part of every part of our lives – not just when we’re at Sunday School or reading our Bibles.

With that in mind, the “Prayer and Spray Paint” method starts with praying about every detail and writing it down in my journal. I have a page where I list wants/needs. When I write something down, I let go of it, and leave it in the Lord’s hands to work out or provide in His timing, and for His glory. Then I wait and watch to see just what He’ll do.

Sometimes He provides just what I’ve written down – and I enjoy celebrating with Him as I mark that item off the list. Other times He doesn’t – and I can still celebrate, knowing that it was not what would be best for us. His best is always better than my best. I’ll take His over mine any day!

On my long list of redecorating “wants” was a new hall light fixture. (The 1979 one was just a bit out of date!) I went to a garage sale this past Saturday, and guess what I found for $2.50?

The very light fixture I saw at Lowes just the week before. Since that’s the one I wanted, and it was at this garage sale felt like the Lord led me to, I praised the Lord and bought the light!

The only problem was that the base of the fixture was gold. I’m changing out my gold for black or that black/brown rubbed oiled bronze look.

Prayer and Spray Paint to the rescue. I sprayed a primer on the metal first. My primer can was old, and as I sprayed, out came these little clumps of primer. But, it was giving the metal a texture – so it worked well. (That was an added, unexpected bonus.) 🙂

Then I sprayed it with black paint. But, it looked so “black” – so I took some deep red spray paint I found in a cabinet and lightly dusted it with red – which gave it the black/brown/rubbed bronze look that we needed.

And Viola! Here’s the finished project hang in our hall. (It’s hard to see the color, but it turned out great! I give God all the credit for that idea and for the gummy primer that sprayed texture on my light!)

My next “Pray and Spray” project is the door and drawer handles in our kitchen. These, too, are circa 1979:

There are a ton of these in our kitchen, and we just can’t afford the expense of replacing them. I was praying about what to do with them when the Lord gave me the greatest idea last night… sponge paint a little spray paint over the gold part and make it more black/brown/rubbed bronze. I gave it a try, and LOVE the results!

I think that just by toning down that gold, they look so much better. What do you think?

Today I’m finishing these and will put a sealant coat of some kind on them. I’m so excited for them to be changed, and every time I see them, I’ll know that that idea came from the Lord! He really does care about everything – even our cabinet drawer pulls!

More “Spray and Pray” projects to come. My big spray paint project will have to wait for a few weeks. I’m changing 3 ceiling fans and our chandelier from brass to that black/brown look. I can’t wait to see how they turn out.

Friends, I hope you know or are realizing that you can pray about anything… that nothing is too small or insignificant for the Lord who loves you so. Next time you’re needing some help or guidance in ANY way – especially in the little ways… pray. It’s when we ask in the little things that we see get to see how wonderfully detailed and caring about us that our Lord is.

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7 (Amp)

Love ya!
Jennifer