The Love of Restoration—Humboldt Junkies Vintage Market
There is within the human soul an admiration for restoration. This admiration was on full display this past Friday and Saturday at the Humboldt Junkies Vintage Market. Vendors from all over Humboldt brought their reclaimed, repurposed, reused, restored and reimagined marvels together at The Bluffs in Ferndale. From brilliantly crocheted hats and aprons to perfectly reimagined barn relics metamorphosed into stunning displays of creative beauty … from stunning silver goblets fit for a royal gala to restored vintage campers ready for a restful retreat. From all of this and so, so much more, Humboldt Junkies Vintage Market displayed, not only the creativity embodied in humankind, but the re-creative and restorative inclination of the human heart.
This impulse towards restoration and recreation was made all the more full and vibrant as it came together in a gathering around food, drinks, music and merriment. Here’s an interesting thought: The impulse of the human soul to recreate, repurpose, refurbish and restore does not seem to find its truest and fullest potential or realization apart from celebration. It’s as if the very act of restoration is worthy of—and incomplete without—celebration. Whether this takes the form of a well-organized market, or merely finds expression in the jubilant proclamation, “Wow!”, when a young child sees how her sisters old bike has been transformed for her with a simple paint job. In either case, restorative transformation must be celebrated.
There seems to be a greater appreciation for restoration than for new production. A brand-new car, with all the bells and whistles, is indeed a sight to see. But a completely restored and refurbished classic is a triumph of endurance and resourceful ingenuity which causes the beauty to shine all the more brightly. There is an inherent glory in seeing that which was broken, dilapidated and destined for destruction experience a transformation which not only restores its former glory, but transcends it to heights previously unimaginable. There is a reason for this.
It doesn’t take long to realize that, even with all the beauty and majesty this world offers, it is still a broken world. Pain and heartache are too easily found, experienced and felt; while they are far too difficult to avoid. The world in which we live isn’t void of all joy (a casual stroll through The Bluffs this Saturday would have testified to that), and yet, one would be remiss to say that it was whole and unfractured. The unifying fabric of our universe has been unraveling and often seems to be spinning further and further away from the original center. But what if there was a way to repurpose our universe, to take that which seems broken and unravelling and transform it into something glorious beyond imagination. What if the despair and destruction which is all too familiar to our consciences could be transformed into a joy and beauty which transcends comparison? What if there were someone who possessed the knowledge, power, desire and energy to take the brokenness of our world and transform it into a recreated, reimagined, refurbished and restored masterpiece? What would that be like?
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true. Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”” –Written by the Apostle John
(The Book of Revelation, chapter 21 verses 5-7)
“They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion,
And they will be radiant over the bounty of the Lord—
Over the grain and the new wine and the oil,
And over the young of the flock and the herd;
And their life will be like a watered garden,
And they will never languish again.
“Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance,
And the young men and the old, together,
For I will turn their mourning into joy
And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.
–Written by the Prophet Jeremiah
(The Book of Jeremiah chapter 31 verses 12-13)
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” –Jesus
(The Gospel of Matthew chapter 11 verses 28–30)