When Your Walls Speak Life

These walls can speak, actually.

That’s the thought that crosses my mind as I travel from to room to room with the vacuum cleaner, sucking up the debris of the last week and a half (don’t judge) and wishing I was doing something else.

I’m not imagining all the conversations the walls have overheard throughout the years, although I’m sure some have been quite intense. Rather, I’m thinking about what the word art on my walls says to me as I pass by.

In the mudroom, right above a row of coat hooks, there’s a quote from Narnia.

“Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny.”

By the back door—the one that opens out to our deck which steps down to the patio surrounded by the flowerbeds—hangs a framed print of the hymn “In the Garden” that a “secret sister” from MOPS gave me long ago.

“He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.”

In the living room, above the two collage frames that show how each of our girls joined the family—another Narnia quote:

“This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”

Next to that, a line from a country song that Randy and I used to listen to when we were newlyweds:

“Love grows best in houses just like these.”

Across the room, just above the piano, my favorite Bible verse:

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

In our bedroom, another verse that provided comfort at a critical time:

“The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14)

In the basement guest room, below one of my grandpa’s paintings, yet another Narnia quote:

“Lucy woke out of the deepest sleep you can imagine, with the feeling that the voice she liked best in the world had been calling her name.”

Above the kitchen sink, the most life-changing Narnia quote of all (for me, anyway):

“I am telling you your story, not hers. I tell no one any story but his own.”

There’s more—more Narnia quotes (if you can believe it), more verses, a snippet from Tolkien, even the entire text of my dad’s favorite essay.

It may sound as though every square inch of wall space in our home is covered in text, but these words are not obtrusive. They blend in, quietly offering their wisdom and encouragement to passersby who take the time to stop and read.

It’s true, what King Solomon said: A good word really does cheer up an anxious heart, and pleasant words actually can make a body feel better. (Proverbs 15:25; 16:24)

That’s the power of effective words—written or spoken, on the page or on the wall.

• • • 

Now I’m wondering … do your walls speak to you? If so, what do they say?

♥ Lois

Note: The word art labeled @woodshopmade was made by my husband, Randy. To see more of his work, visit him on Instagram @woodshopmade.

Also … I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, #HeartEncouragement, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.