from the second step

written by Blynda Purdy

Such a strange name for a blog… I suppose that in itself is a tiny peek inside my head. One of the many beautiful things about getting older (my silver hair definitely attests to that fact) is that you learn to trust yourself a bit more—to enjoy the things that are uniquely you without quite so much internal angst. For me, one of these quirky “isms” that I enjoy is my love for a good word picture— an everyday kind of illustration of a truth, principle or meaningful idea.  My poor husband has been the recipient of so many of my “word picture explanations” over the years; thankfully I’m getting better at them while he is also far more patient and receptive than in our early years of marriage LOL!

Sometime early this year I shared something I had discovered with him: the very best step in our home’s staircase is (you guessed it!) the second one up from the bottom.  Initially, he looked at me as though I had lost my marbles, but he was sweet and waited for me to explain.  “It’s the perfect one to sit on for so many things— for putting on shoes before heading out the door, for placing items that need a return trip up the stairs, and most importantly to be at exactly the right height to look into our precious grandbabies’ eyes while they talk to us.”  It’s the step I use to get down on their level. It’s the one that is not the bottom “baby step” but the slightly higher, slightly more daring one for our precious littles to get to sit on to view the world of our home.  It is the best one!  See, our staircase sits in a very important place in our home— basically right in the center of all the action, and that very wonderful second step gives us all a safe, welcoming spot to take it all in.

Obviously I’m not really obsessed with a step.  But it is a perfect word picture for something I am obsessed with— home. Home gives us a safe place to rest, to await our next mission, an important place to prepare for what’s outside of its walls, the right opportunity for love, touch, communication.  It’s the place from which we look at the world, and it absolutely molds and shapes our perspective. 

My hope for this monthly blog is that you will be inspired to look at your home a little differently— that you will see its beauty, both functionally and aesthetically with a fresh perspective.  I want you to find the spots in your home that are as important to you as my second step is to me… those spaces where you have the best access for loving on your family, for welcoming others, for providing security and peace in a world that is topsy-turvy.  We’ll also discuss creating spaces for quiet and rest as well as those for fun. 

As I write this post I am overwhelmed for the families whose homes have been devastated by the events in Uvalde and other places where violence and hate have snuffed out life.  May God watch over and comfort them as only He can, while we all determine to do our part to turn this tide.  Don’t leave “I love you” unsaid;  be on guard against busyness that robs families of meaningful time together; finally, look for opportunities to extend kindness to those around you, those you know as well as those you don’t… you really don’t know someone’s story till you take time to listen.

Until next time,

Blynda

ps—Don loves the second step now, too!