I used to want everything to be brand new when I acquired it. There’s something to be said for new, right? Fresh out of the package, untouched, unblemished. New things bring a sense of refreshment, hope. I feel this way about new seasons or adventures, new pursuits and certainly fresh bouquet of flowers or the way everything begins again with a resurgence of life in springtime. I’ve been watching our irises come up over the past week or so, and not only are the blossoms new, but we have new colors popping up that I’ve never seen before. It’s so life-giving to discover them in the garden, and I can’t help but take pictures–probably for the sake of remembering how hopeful it felt when they first appeared.

I think about the annual joy of school supply shopping in July and August, a pristine pair of new gym shoes, a perfectly sharpened pencil or a set of brand new sheets. Maybe sometimes it’s because a new thing represents something else that it’s so valuable, like the dress you pick out for your first formal dance, a recital costume you try on for the very first time, a crib sitting in a nursery awaiting one sought after event. I think we all long for fresh starts and things that are solely our own, not to mention opportunities to highlight our personalities, likes and dislikes. There’s nothing wrong with appreciating new.

And then, there’s old. Or maybe for our sakes we could say, “loved.” Sure, there are plenty of things that have seen their day and don’t have much use left in them, but then there are treasures abundant to be found among racks and shelves of discarded things. If you’ve ever donated something of value, you know exactly what I mean. There are diamonds in the rough to be had, and as I get older, I appreciate them more and more.

I’ve vowed not to become someone who can’t pass up a garage sale, but I also recognize the value of making great discoveries for a fraction of the cost. Knowing that a purchase also benefits a non-profit or ministry somehow makes it feel all the better. And the truth is, some of my favorite items in our home are ones I thrifted or purchased from a friend who thrifted them first.

We recently purchase a dresser from a thrift store in town, and I absolutely love it. It’s lines and quality are just so good, and I got it at a fraction of the cost of one bought new online. I looked at new ones for a long time first, and their cost and quality were so frustrating in comparison. Now, I can’t wait to add the dresser to our room, making a pretty addition to a place I’ll no doubt spend plenty of time after baby arrives. The dresser will be the perfect spot to accommodate the many diaper changes we can plan on enjoying in middle of the night. 😉

Why does any of this matter? Maybe it doesn’t really. But I’m sharing because it feels like a shift in perspective and priorities for me over the past few years, and I’m finding it offers me more contentment and joy than always craving the newest thing. Bringing something old back to life can be so good for my soul–it’s a victory in the area of stewardship that feels worth celebrating.

There will be days when I still crave, “new.” I look at baby things lately and just want to build the most perfect little layette for our honeybee’s arrival. But then I admire the things we’ve used for our other kiddos that have sweet memories attached, the simplicity of needs when a baby is first born. I look around me at all that we have, and it isn’t the stuff at all that makes this place feel like home. Home is where my people are, and soon, it will be where one more person makes this all the more true. I’m eager for that day. Still, while I wait it’ll be fun to set up and rearrange a few spaces in the house, and there’s no doubt there are things to repurpose here to make each room feel refreshed and new again.

There’s something to be said for new, yes. Of course there is. This little baby growing in my belly is among the gifts in this world that are intended to be embraced in their newness to the full, and we surely will. But then, when we come across older things that still have something to offer, what a gift to discover them! I love that my penchant for new, old things is growing as I age over here, too.

Maybe it is true what they say: What’s old is new again. How fun to be able to give things a second chance! To old and new and the unexpected delights they both bring,

MM