It’s the Robyn’s French Nest version of “lemons into lemonade”….

This really all came about a few days ago when I was working on a tablescape.  My plan was to take a lovely trip to Trader Joe’s for some flowers and fresh greenery.  My reality was too little time and too little energy to make the trip.  That left me looking around for something to put down the middle of my table.

In the trees by our driveway (the ones that I often cut branches from to use in my décor), there is some kind of invasive weed growing.  I actually spent far too long on Google trying to determine what kind it is and still couldn’t figure it out.

All I know is that it’s taking over the tree and we really need to clean it out soon!

In the meantime, I thought I would give it a try as fresh greenery for my tablescape!  The long, vine-like branches are pretty perfect for casually draping around the centerpiece and they still looked good the next day, too!  I love using fresh greenery but some kinds wilt so quickly!

(In other words, this might end up being a repeat experiment!)

As I was working with my centerpiece and tablescape, I had to kind of smile.  This wouldn’t be the first time I used weeds on my table. 

I remember a dinner party I had at Christmas one year.  I used some branches from the pepper berry trees (they get red berries in the Florida winter months and are perfect for Christmas décor!). I got a little teasing at that dinner for putting weeds on the table.

On this day, it also made me smile because it’s really a perfect analogy.  The landscapers really hate these weeds and invasive plants.  I, in my need for a long, vine-like branch, found them incredibly useful and even pretty!  (Granted, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!)

You and I are a little like weeds.  Imperfect, flawed creations who, by nature, won’t be viewed by everyone as pretty or even useful. 

Just this week, I had to apologize for a grouchy attitude, get myself to bed a little early, take some deep breaths in moments of frustration, put my chin up and smile when I didn’t feel good, and wish I could do a few things over again.

You too?  I’m so glad I’m not alone.

I am quite certain that I was not always lovely in the eyes of my family this week.  More like a weed at moments, to be honest.  Thankfully, they love me very much and are very forgiving.

But if it hasn’t happened to you yet, it will.  Someone, somewhere, sometime will let you know that you aren’t their “cup of tea.”  More like a weed.  It’s certainly happened to me!  In our humanness, we cannot be all things to all people at all times.

And it is okay to be okay with that.  In fact, it’s important to be okay with that.

But sometimes, life can sting.  Whether by nature or as a result of our own humanness, we will undoubtedly feel “less than” sometimes.  More like a weed.

At some point, we are going to be tempted to feel like we are not enough.  Like we can’t measure up.  Like we can’t get it right.  More like a weed.

But remember my tablescape weeds?  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And you and I are being held by God.

Not like a weed, at all, rather as a treasure, created in His image, created for on purpose for His purpose, and covered by Grace.  More like a flower.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”

-Jeremiah 31:3

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”

-Isaiah 43:1

“For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

-Ephesians 2:10

“The Lord your God is with you.  He is mighty enough to save you.  He will take great delight in you.  With His love, He will calm all your fears.  He will sing with joy because of you.”

-Zephaniah 3:17

In the eye of the only Beholder who really matters, YOU matter.  Not a weed, but a precious flower, created with intentional purpose, molded in love, and nurtured in grace.

Next time you head out to cut some flowers or greenery for your table, don’t overlook the weeds.

Much love from our nest.

Blessings,