A dear friend of ours whom we lovingly call, Ms. Susan, came to visit us a while back. During her visit, she asked us where we most enjoyed spending our time? It wasn’t until after she had gone that my choice became clear.
When looking for a place to call home, I was specific in my prayers to the Lord. Proverbs 4:25-26 says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Ponder the path of your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” When you have your eyes fixed, the target becomes transparent.
Two things on my list were non-negotiable; I longed for a window over my kitchen sink and a front porch.
In my younger years, the front porch held many lasting impressions for me. It was where my sister would sit bundled up to watch it rain, my mom and dad would find their evening breath on the swing, and I would watch the moon ascend over the hills to its rightful place.
The kitchen sink, however, gets the business of the day. Looking out the window, over a sink full of dirty dishes, makes the washing bearable. I can recall staring out my grandma’s kitchen window when rinsing dishes was my glorified duty. I could see the tire-tracked road leading back to a glassy pond and aged barn. I thought to myself– one day, I am going to have a window just like this.
After Ms. Susan had gone, I gave thought to her question. This led to humanizing objects and places that have no feeling. Hence, I began to reflect on what the kitchen sink and front porch must see and what would they say if they could get a word in edgewise?
The kitchen sink must get tired of holding all those dirty dishes or hearing the clanging of glasses being scrubbed. The steady rhythm in which water fills the teapot brings a pleasant sight in the predawn light. Perhaps it is grateful for the usefulness it can offer. I bet it loves when its pipes run smoothly with no pesky leaks or clogs.
A person spends a sizeable amount of time at the kitchen sink. Scouring pans becomes pleasant when I see the deer meander over tossed corn or squirrels battling over the last acorn. To steal a peek of a rather plump raccoon family makes me snicker watching them shake the bird feeder free of its delicacies. I love the smell of charcoal as it drifts through the screen. It makes being stuck inside preparing vegetables almost tolerable.
While I am washing my hands, I take in the girls giggling over something daddy has said. It paints an ideal portrait through my kitchen sink window.
The front porch sees a different side of life. It gets the ease of the day, the restful gaze that soaks up the last few minutes of the evening melody. It discerns ponderings over past and present happenings. The porch watches a breeze pass through a wind chime then sends it on its way. The tones of nature become a steady alarm for tranquility. The porch tells of crickets serenading storm clouds as they roll in.
The front porch has a calming effect on the soul. I can watch Charlotte laugh at each funny face Eva makes when swinging past in her swing. I love to watch the playfulness take over in the dogs. Samson trots around like a champion who has found the last remaining stick. Maximus relieves Samson of his chosen prize simply because he wants to. Lola fights for leadership, and Penny, well, Penny is just happy to be here.
Serving two entirely different purposes, and yet life seems lost without either of them. As each day concludes, the porch catches sparks from fireflies, whereas the kitchen sink has fulfilled its purpose and now rests empty, watching the glow cast by the oven light as it dimly shines on the teapot, ready for the morning hour.
My answer was simple; The setting I admire the most is everything, including the kitchen sink.
Welcome Home
“Be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.” Ecclesiastes 11:9
Don’t forget your copy of HOME SWEET HOME. Available now on Amazon! Makes a great gift!
If you are enjoying these posts please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, and SHARE below!
