October 2024

• marred – damaged or spoiled to a certain extent; made less perfect, attractive, useful, etc.  (dictionary.com)

• marred – to ruin or diminish the perfection or wholeness of  (Merriam Webster)

• marred – blemished by injury or rough wear (wordnik.com) 

This describes my kitchen table.  It has been marred over the years and looks quite beat up with scrapes and scratches, dents and dings.

When we were first married, we bought the kitchen nook set “naked” meaning we had to refinish it.  It was a beastly project, sanding, staining, polyurethane-ing over and over until it was just right.  Young and in love while trying to save money, I was game to try it.  I will tell you now, I would never undertake such a project again.

But this kitchen nook set, with its handy storage benches, has served us well over the years and 4 kids later.

Recently, upon glancing at my marred kitchen table, years of memories came flooding over me.  The table’s wear is proof of years gone by.  That table had “lived” in 3 different locations and one day a fourth, as I want to give it to my youngest who excitedly treasures the thought of refinishing it back to good as new.  She has done these types of projects before, and unlike me, enjoys them.

Besides, with its marred surface and memories, it should stay in the family. Memories of triplets eating around the table with their booster seats, endless craft projects, dinners with friends & family, carving pumpkins, birthdays celebrated and still future memories to be made.  A kitchen table has turned out to be a very emotional place rendering it invaluable. 

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But aren’t we all a bit like that table?  Marred in some way?  Whether by the ups and downs of life, handicaps or failings, disease or sin.  We are all marred by the scars of life.

But Jesus can restore us no matter how badly we have been marred, just as my daughter can restore the wooden table.  Wood can be refinished, just like us. 

We are molded by the hands of God like the potter molds clay.  We are weathered and worn and beat up like the table but we still have value.  Jesus is the great refinisher.  Makes sense, since He was a carpenter’s son.

What has been marred in us can be restored.  We can appreciate who we have become through our scars, dents and dings because they have made us more beautiful and who we are today.

My daughter may choose a different color of stain, but it will still be the same table underneath. Over the years we may look or seem different, but we are still who God made us.

We can always have hope in Christ for our restoration and refinishing. 

I was fascinated (and relieved) when I learned many cultures deliberately include an imperfection in their artwork, rugs, pottery, etc.  In Japanese aesthetics, for instance, it’s known as “wabi sabi”, a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.  It is found in many forms of Japanese art.

Our flaws make us unique, just like each piece of crafted artwork. If we look beyond the imperfections we can see the beauty in ourselves and others.

I could cover my kitchen table with a cute or frilly tablecloth to hide the wear and tear and protect it from further abuse, as I have at times, but now I prefer to keep it “naked” with all its dings and dents and memories.  I don’t have to worry about ruining it, because it is already seasoned and each scrape and dent will add a new flavor.

Now, every time I look at my kitchen table, it reminds me of life lived and that nothing and none of us is perfect, and that’s okay.