I am from a small town in North Alabama called Lake Guntersville but have lived in Seattle altogether for almost 11 years now. I am a writer and creative who currently funnels that energy through my blog (www.restorationhouseblog.com) and social media communities.
I’m a creative. I write. I make and design pretty things. What I do is pretty simple yet sometimes so complex as I am also an encourager and use what I do creatively as a ministry of sorts. I mean, I guess very simply put, God uses the gifts He has placed in me to bring out the best in others. Whether I’m styling a room or pouring my heart out on the “pages” of my social media feed or blog, I find I am most fulfilled and feel the most myself when I am operating in that way.
I am passionate about creating and about connecting the hearts and minds of those who follow me online to a bigger, more grand purpose that they are meant to fulfill individually and seeing how those individual gifts are to be used collectively. Anything that I do, ultimately, is with that intention and is constantly intertwined in some way with the message I present on any given day. It really all goes back to Him for me. My faith is a big part of what I do. I feel the most alive and connected with MY Creator when I am creating and sharing what He has done in my life and placed in me.
I started about 12 years ago painting and restoring furniture (hence the name, Restoration House) and it has evolved from a pretty basic blog-highlighting and showcasing pieces that I had for sale-into more of a home and DIY site for those interested to see my work and to be inspired by it all. I shifted to more inspirational and reflective writing a few years back and it was the best decision I’ve made as far as my business is concerned. It’s been fun to watch what that decision has done in my own heart and life as well as others’ lives. I consider it a blessing to be able to impact the lives
of others in such a simple yet profound way and do what I love at the same time.
My life, like many, is full of trauma and hurt and pain. There’s not even enough space here to detail it all. What I will say is that I don’t see one time in my life that God has not used it for good. I don’t see one time in my life that what was meant to cause eternal, negative impact has been turned into something that not only makes this life of mine and Him in it more beautiful but that validates my story and shows just how impactful and meaningful the picture of true restoration really looks like. There is no beauty without the pain or the ugly. There can be no restoration without the pain. It may be crazy to say but I am grateful for it all. The good, bad and the ugly. He continues to reveal Himself in and through it all.
“If I do not create. I die. It is a lifeline for me. So, I must. “
What drives you and inspires you?
Everything around me. Everything from the obvious things like grey and blue skies and the trees to a simple textile pattern. It’s all inspiring to me.
How do you balance everything?
I’m not sure I do? Balance is a funny word. I think we’re all trying to figure out how to live our best lives daily. There is no balance for me. It’s like making plans and thinking that just because you plan it all out, that things are going to go just as planned. Balance for me looks like a daily walk with God and leaning into Him and asking Him what exciting things “we’re” gonna do today. It freaks a lot of people out but it works for me. Practically, of course, I exercise. I do my best to maintain a healthy diet but I don’t want to live my life always trying to figure out how to live it perfectly and that’s what balance sounds like to me--this false sense that so many of us have that life is supposed to be perfect. It’s messy. It’s fun. It’s painful. Every day brings something new. I have lived too much of my life trying to find that perfect balance and I’ve discovered my perfect balance isn’t perfect at all.
How do you want to leave your mark on the world?
To know that they can make a difference by simply embracing who they are--uniquely and giving that to
the world over and over and over again....that, for me, is legacy. That is success.
Where do you see yourself a year from now? 3 years from now?
Happy and free. :)
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Kennesha!
go check out her blog TODAY www.restorationhouseblog.com!