“The home of a decorous, young married woman must be a temple of morality and taste. It must be the Buckingham Palace of all that is the very best of womanhood: order, cleanliness, and beauty. In fact, the home is representative of the psyches of its inhabitants, according to the top psychologists at Harvard and Yale” (from the chapter, “Decoration,” in my book The Mrs. Gladys Merriweather’s Young Ladies’ Guide to Venereal Etiquette).
Dear Christian Daisies from the Lord’s Own Flower Bed,
The art you display in your home can make you or break you morally and socially, so it is critical that you employ all your faculties in making decisions in this area. How tragic to ruin your husband’s career with unwholesome art in your home! What if he is led astray by suggestive art? What if he is passed over for a promotion because his boss sees immoral artwork in your home and decides your husband is lacking in principles or, worse, concludes that he cannot control his wife? Do you wish to carry that shame with you to your grave? Of course, you do not, my dear sweet angels. Have no fear! I am here to guide you in this area, as well.
Many fine-seeming people seem to think that antique, European art with all the nudes, even of the Lord himself, is acceptable for Christian consumption. I do not agree with this idea because I know its origin: Catholics. Yes, precious baby angels, the Catholics are the ones who paid for and painted this type of thing back then. We know they could, and still can, gaze on the globs of greasy flesh (which puts me in mind of the poultry section at the meat counter) without compunction because they can just go to Reconciliation and confess their lustful thoughts. That kind of art is yucky and deeply burdensome: do not have it in your home.
On the other hand, the work of the dear, late “Painter of Light,” Thomas Kinkade is beautiful and free of the moral and emotional complications that European art provokes. Look for art more in that vein, and if you can afford it, buy it. The little oval piece, featured in my photo, is from a thrift store. I purchased it for only $10.00, and, morally, it is just fine. I would not have it in my home since it is tacky, and it does not reflect my husband’s social standing, but if I were on a much lower budget-- say the salary of a car wash attendant, I would.
All of this being said, I must confess (Not in the Catholic sense. Goodness no!) there was partial nudity when I visited Heaven. Perhaps, someday, you can read about this is my book, The Mrs. Gladys Merriweather’s Young Ladies’ Guide to Venereal Etiquette, if I can get it published. Sometimes, Jesus “sunbathed” in a little, pink, thong bathing suit. I think, He did this to joke with me, but who knows! He is The Author of the Universe and more!
P.S. in the Lord,
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