Rust Doesn't Mean Ruined...
The other day I reached into the refrigerator for a jar of homemade sauerkraut and noticed the lid had developed a good bit of rust.
I wondered if I should throw it away, but I decided to do a little research and concluded the sauerkraut was perfectly fine. It simply needed a new lid.
Days earlier I had dragged an old metal garden arch out of mom's barn where I'd been storing it for years. It had collecting dust, moisture, and plenty of rust. My husband wanted me to send it to the dump.
I still saw hope for it.
After a good bit of sanding and a coat of galvanizing spray, it looked like something I'd happily place in the garden (as soon as we get those raised beds built).
How often do we do the same thing in life?
Confuse weathering with worth?
We have developed a "throw away" culture that encourages pitching and replacing worn items. Buy new. Better. Shinier.
But intentional living asks a different question:
Could this still be useful?
Sometimes the answer is no.
Sometimes things are too broken to fix. Sometimes a relationship has run its course. Or a habit no longer fits the life we're creating.
But often...
A chair needs tightening.
A favorite sweater needs mending.
A friendship needs a conversation.
A dream needs dusting off.
Our body needs rest.
Not replacing.
Just restoring.
I've been trying to pause long enough to ask myself the question whether something is truly worn out or is it just a bit weathered. I'm trying to reuse and repurpose more often.
And I'm thinking perhaps that's true on the inside too...
There are seasons we feel a little rusty. Maybe we've neglected a project. Maybe life has left a few scratches. (Or even big broken parts.)
But weathered doesn't mean worthless.
Sometimes what's underneath is still strong. It simply needs a little attention, a little care, and the willingness to believe it still has something to offer.
So I invite you to pause more often with me this week. Before you replace something—whether it's an object, a routine, a dream, or even the way you see yourself—take a moment to ask:
Does this truly need replacing?
Or does it simply need a little care?
You might be surprised how much beauty is still waiting beneath a little rust. And if you want to take this a bit deeper, here's a few journal prompts for you:
Journal Prompts
- What in my life have I been too quick to dismiss because it feels old, neglected, or imperfect?
- Is there something I once loved that simply needs to be dusted off rather than abandoned?
- Where might I choose restoration instead of replacement this season?
Sometimes the most beautiful transformations don't come from something new.
They come from seeing with fresh eyes what was already there. (both things and you 💕 Julie
I release the need for everything to be bright, shiny and new.
What We Loved This Week
www.jmbliving.com