My Feet on a Rock

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalm 40:2


Inspiration happens in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected moments. God never ceases to amaze! While out taking pictures with the children, i had found something interesting on the creek rock that i thought would make a good picture but i ended up instead getting a picture of Rachel’s feet. At first i was disappointed but upon closer observation, God brought Psalm 40:2 to mind. Wow!! God does have a way of getting His point across. And sometimes what seems to be disappointment may actually be a blessing in disguise!

Arise, Shine

“Arise,shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1

Thank You,God,for guiding me to this Scripture. As soon as i read it i knew it was what i needed to hear. God, You gave me my love of writing, art and other forms of expression and for awhile i really did enjoy writing and drawing whenever and on whatever i could. That was mostly as a child. As i got older i started looking at others and measuring myself against them. After that nothing i ever did was good enough in my eyes. Then fear set in so that even when i wanted to write or draw i wouldn’t because i had convinced myself i couldn’t do it-at least not the way i thought it should be done. Now i look back, all these years later, and i am filled with regret. Because of my regret i find myself trying to force creativity and that is just as bad as stifling it. I also still struggle with my crazy self-expectations. The trash can is filled with art that did not meet those expectations. Notebooks are filled with papers that contain words i have written but won’t share because they don’t sound “right” to me. These words from Isaiah really speak to me today because they remind me it is all it is all about You and not me. You give me what i need to rise and it is Your light that makes me shine. It is for Your glory that i am to write and create. Your hands guide the pen and pencil or whatever medium You desire. You are inspiration! This is what i have forgotten and i thank You, Father, for reminding me. Help me to remember.

An Artist's Prayer

"When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to "arise from the dead" and do the impossible. The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that life and power come after we "get up and get going". God does not give us overcoming life-He gives us life as we overcome."-Oswald Chambers What do i need to practice my art? Courage? Courage comes from trust. If i truly trust in You courage replaces the fear. Right? When the fear comes i should trust You enough to give them to You. Then even if i don't feel artistic or creative i do it anyway in the belief that You are who You say You are and i am who You say i am. You are the God of all creation of which i am a part. To mankind You have given artistic talents and the ability to create. I will choose to believe that and i choose to believe that You have told me i am an artist. Now i must make the choice to practice my art even when i don't see it myself. In the past i have just given up but You have always given me some kind of creative outlet: calligraphy,crafts,writing,photography,cooking,cake decorating...so many outlets but i have been too blind to see them as artistry. Thank You, Father, for keeping the creativity in my life even when i took it for granted. When i am being creative i feel so energized, inspired and now i am seeing that is because being creative is what You have given me to do. However You want me to use it, help me to see. For Your glory Lord, amen.

The Evening Walk

Today has been one of those days where to do anything has been a struggle. Whether it was homeschooling or cleaning the kitchen, i've just done it all with the attitude that i was going to get it done regardless of how i felt. However, i did continue to talk myself out of my not so daily daily walk. "It's just too hot, i'm too busy, it would be so much easier if i had someone to walk with,...". Is this resonating with anyone? Well, finally six o'clock rolls around and i know i need to take this walk but i just don't want to, but after a few minutes of enternal struggle i have to admit that continuing to argue is doing me no good. So i head out the door, do some stretching and start walking. My first round around the driveway, i see a bright orange glow in the trees and suddenly my eyes fill with tears. The glow is the sun setting in the sky and God's reminder that i am not alone as i walk. As i make my second round i am thinking i need to get my camera. Now i am running. I don't want to miss this! By the time i run inside, grab my camera and make it back to the front yard, the sun has moved. No problem. I cross the road to get a better shot. (And now you know why charis crossed the road. Bad joke, but i couldn't resist!) As the sun sank lower and lower in the evening sky, i took picture after picture to get as many as i could. When i finally returned to my walk i was filled with excitement and inspiration. Yes, i still had the camera strapped around my neck too, just in case God had something else to show me and He did-but that is another post. Before i knew it 35 minutes had passed and i could have kept walking but the kids were too quiet, so i came back inside. The kids were fine and i was feeling a lot better than when i went out and so much better than i have in the last couple of days. The moral of my little story is that sometimes we have to do things we don't necessarily want to do but when we do do them we are better because of it and it also helps to know God is always with us. He never leaves us, we are the ones who walk away from Him but even then He does not give up on us. Thank You, Father, for evening walks,sunsets and lessons taught.