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Fall Porch Tour: Thoughts on Stewarding

We’re sharing our fall porch tour and thoughts on stewarding today!

Several weeks ago, the double rockers for our front porch were finally delivered. Hopefully, the two single rockers and two tables will be on the way soon as well.  

Honestly, I put off getting any new porch furniture because the white wicker was something I had dreamt about for years while in graduate school.

Fall Porch Tour with Orange Mums-The Crowned Goat

Back then, my front porch was so small it was nothing more than a concrete slab.

Still, I would flip through the glossy pages of decorating books and magazines longing for a big farmhouse-style porch to decorate from season to season.

It blows my mind that dream actually came true sometimes.  

While I dearly loved our white wicker couches, the truth is, they weren’t that functional anymore.

Plus, it was so common to find snakeskins under the cushions, I could barely sit on them without breaking into a cold sweat thinking a snake might be hiding underneath.

So, a few months ago we decided to start replacing the white wicker with wooden rockers. Given we needed 6 pieces of outdoor furniture, we decided to save money by painting all the pieces ourselves.

At the time, we figured we could save $60 per double rocker which didn’t include the side rockers or the tables.

It seemed like a good deal.

Once we bought all the paint and supplies, then spent our entire weekend painting though, we knew we had made a big miscalculation.

Not a major miscalculation, mind you, but enough of a misstep it caused us to start thinking about the value we had placed on our time in a completely different way.

I used to think being a good steward was making sure you had tithed generously and given freely of your talents.

But as I was gently reminded painting those bench rockers, being a good steward is so much more than that.

Fall Porch Tour-Orange Mums and Pumpkins-The Crowned Goat

According to Merriam-Webster one of the definitions of stewardship is “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.”

I’ve also seen stewardship broken down into three basic categories over the years…time, treasure, and talent.

Fall Front Porch Tour-Orange and Yellow Mums with Pumpkins-The Crowned Goat

Truthfully, I felt like we were pretty good where tithing and philanthropic giving were concerned.

I’ll be honest though, I started taking note of how we were doing in all other areas the minute we stopped painting the rockers.

After all, time, treasure, and talent easily covers a lot of ground depending on your definition of each.

So, I started asking myself…

“Have you been a good steward of your time and energy lately?”

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“Do you keep piling more onto your plate because you feel too guilty to say no? Then find yourself adding more and more trying to please everyone even at the expense of yourself and your family?”

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“Are you being a good steward of your words? Using them to lift people up or have you found yourself so tired and exhausted lately every little thing makes you snap?”

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“What about the opportunities you’ve been given recently?”

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“The platform and circle of influence you currently have?”

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“Have you been treating your body like the sanctuary it was created to be?”

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“Are you stewarding your relationships well? Making time to be fully present, trustworthy, dependable, and encouraging?”

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“Are you being a good steward of the clothes in your closet? Or do you keep stress buying more because it makes you feel better?”

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“What about the cameras sitting on your shelf? When was the last time you went on a nature walk or been a tourist in your town and taken the afternoon to practice?”

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“Are you being a good steward of the home décor items you’ve used over the years? Are any of them sitting in bins gathering dust in your garage? Could some of them be donated to a less fortunate family or organization?”

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“What about the paint and craft supplies on the shelves or in the drawers of your craft room? Could you carve out some time to make something special for friends, neighbors, or loved ones?”

I don’t share these questions to pry or judge at all.

These are the questions currently filling up the pages of my journal to make me more aware of how I’m stewarding the things I’ve been given, and my hunch is that some of you may be able to relate as well.

Fall Front Porch with Apples and Pie-The Crowned Goat

Several of the answers I’m at perfect peace with but others reveal I still have a lot to work on.

You might feel that way too.

While it may seem like we need a large audience or wide network to make a difference, the truth is, there are hearts and hands and opportunities all around us – some of them right in our own homes – we can start stewarding today.

Fall is a great season to reevaluate the things that need tending, harvesting, or releasing.

Faithfully putting one foot in front of the other as we walk with grace into the holidays.

Fall Front Porch Tour with Orange and Yellow Mums-The Crowned Goat

Cheering you on as you carve out time to steward what’s important! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Other Fall Porch and Home Tours to Enjoy:

Many blessings,

CoCo

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16 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing this today. It made me realize there are areas in my life that I am spending too much time on and taking away from others. God bless you! Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

    1. You are so welcome, Karen, I’m excited this post resonated with you. I’ve definitely been filling up my journal with all sorts of things I need to work on so you’re in good company. Sending you hugs and hoping your week has been a happy one, CoCo

  2. I love the line…tending, harvesting, or releasing. So thoughtful and certainly a prod to get your mind as well as your life in order. Gorgeous post, thank you, Sandi

    1. Such a sweet compliment, Sandi, thank you! Fall always feels like a second chance to me. Hope your week has been a special one, CoCo

  3. Snakes or snakeskins under the cushions?! Oh heck no! I unfortunately would never be able to step foot on the porch again. 🙁 You should be proud that you can overcome your fears.

    And look at you – embracing yellow and orange for fall. Proud moment #2.
    Loved this post. I always thought stewardship related to tithing and giving as well. Never of my time etc. I will be taking stock and making some changes.
    I know you’ll enjoy your double rocker. We call it our luuuuvseat. That is until one of us gets to rocking so far back the other one digs their nails in the arm of the other and yells stop! LOL. Good times, good times.

    1. You are so funny, Cindy! I swear one of my favorite things about your personality is that you always make me laugh no matter what the day or occasion. I’m not a huge fan of snakes but we’ve had this one called Tux out here for so long it would be weird not to see him and as long as he doesn’t make friends with rattlesnakes I’m ok. Now bugs that start with an R are a totally different story. I blame sleep away camp and a really shady air bnb 🤣 Sending you lots of hugs and love as you love and steward your family back to health, CoCo

  4. Wow! This post really hit home. Thank you so much for sharing these words.

    I’m going to come back and re-read this post, again and again.

    1. You are so sweet, Corrie, thank you so much. It means the world to have your support and encouragement. I’m grateful to have you here 🙌 Hope your week has been filled with all good things, CoCo

  5. Beautiful post, I’ve been very conscious lately about how I am spending my time. I find that social media is a big distraction for me. The past couple months I am limiting my time there and notice how I have gotten so much more done concerning my home. Love looking at all your beautiful photos. Have a blessed week!

    1. Thank you so much, Elizabeth! You are so smart to limit social media distractions, I have too. I can definitely tell the difference in how much I’m getting done but my overall attitude is a lot less stressed and hurried as well. It’s amazing how such a small change can have such a huge impact. Cheering you on as you continue to make your needs a priority! Big hugs, CoCo

  6. Pamela J Martin says:

    very thought provoking. and some very good points to consider. As i read your post i was thinking we are stewards of the children that God has left in our care. i am beginning to improve on some areas in my life and will think on some others, being careful not to become overwhelmed. Excellent post. Thank you

    1. Thank you so much for your thoughtful words, Pamela, I really appreciate it. I didn’t realize until I sat down to write this post just how many treasures placed on our paths and in our lives on a daily basis we have the chance to steward. Children are a great example! My self-discovery journey has been long and sometimes really hard but the effort has definitely been worth it. Cheering you on as you walk with purpose in love and grace, CoCo

      1. Pamela J Martin says:

        You really do have a gift of encouragement. Thank you for you precious reply.

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