You are a Work of Art AND an Artist at Work

I sincerely believe God has a reason for everything -- including the things that He uses as "attention-getters". At the very least, He wants us to be aware that He is with us and He has another object lesson for us to learn from. This photo is of a man that visited our estate sale and right away I noticed his walking stick/cane that he had laid on our cash-out table. It was a work of art – art that was designed, handcrafted and carved by him. He was so pleased to take the credit for his work of art made out of a diamond willow.

I started thinking about all the uses of a walking stick. Sure it facilitates walking, but this man’s walking stick could be used as a defensive AND offensive weapon. It also conceals a knife in the handle. That walking stick acts as a support when he’s going uphill and a brake when he’s going downhill; as a balance when crossing rough terrain, test puddles for depth, and is personalized with his trademark. I was amazed at this work of art.

I cringe when I hear people say: "I'm not creative. I can't cook. I'm not an artist. I can't sing. I can't sew. I don’t do technology!” The fact is those folks will never have those attributes as long as they are proclaiming what they are NOT!

Here’s the truth of the matter. The CREATOR of the universe made YOU and me in His image.....so we have the goods to do WHATEVER we set our hearts and minds to do. Someone may have convinced you that you are not creative. Someone spoke into your life to make you feel LESS capable than you are. And it's time someone spoke into your life to make you MORE. We are WORKS of ART.....and we are ARTISTS at WORK. Our homes should be like Picasso's attic -- where we are dreaming, imagining and creating. I'm speaking into your life RIGHT NOW and telling you...."Silence the voices. Get out that paint brush.....and start painting!"

"God designed you....to design;
He created you....to create;
He imagined you....to imagine;
God dreamed you....to dream;
When you were born, you were not an ordinary child. Someone made you feel you were ordinary. You are the essence of your Creator. You are the reflection of God, Himself. You are extraordinary. Now it's time to BE the genius He created you to be -- you are both a work of art and an artist at work." -- Erwin Raphel McManus

Yes, our God, the Almighty Creator of EVERYTHING is quite capable of making SOMETHING out of nothing and SOMETHING out of us!

The Doorway to Heaven

Day 58 of Photo Inspirations -- The Doorway to Heaven
A dear friend posted this photo on her FB page yesterday, and it touched me so much I knew it would be my photo inspiration today.  My friend's 95-year old mother passed away last week and this photo gave her such comfort.  When I saw it, it comforted me, too.  My dad went to heaven when I was 15. My own angel Mom passed away 11 years ago at the age of 94.  My sweetheart passed away 4-1/2 years ago. I have 3 siblings already in heaven. And I choose to believe this is the way it will be -- just going through the door from this "temporary home" to our real "home sweet home" and where Jesus and our loved ones will be there waiting for us.  We were created for eternity!

As I read about this sacred and comforting work of art, I saw how the CREATOR inspired the sculptor to create.  An internationally-renowned artist and bronze sculptor, Jerry Anderson, had a desire to magnify his talent in a spiritual way.  His original life-size bronze sculpture of 'Come Unto Me' came with the expectations of being a comfort to grieving families experiencing the loss of a loved one. Unveiled in 2000, the original life-sized bronze monument stands in the grand foyer of the Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, Utah, where it has become a scenic attraction, in addition to a comfort to countless families at a most tender time of their lives. It portrays the spiritual journey from mortality to immortality. It is a portrayal of an aged woman's body, returning to its prime, and into the arms of our Savior.

And here's my take on leaving this earth.  When my sweetheart was in his final stages of being earth-bound, I got to be his mid-wife.  I urged him to "push, Baby, push" through to the other side.  I knew that I knew he was "birthing" from this place where he had experienced so much pain, where his muscle-bound, strong body had become so weak and paralyzed, and where his earth-assignment had come to an end. I was getting to help push him through the earth to heaven doorway to where his heavenly new and perfect body and assignment awaited him.

I'm so sorry for the many folks who believe that death is the end of us.  I KNOW it is not.  Death is not our termination, but our transition into eternity.  In his book, "Purpose Driven Life", Rick Warren says "If you have a relationship with God through Jesus, you don't need to fear death.  It is the DOOR to eternity.  It will be the last hour of your time on earth, but it won't be the last of you.  Rather than being the end of your life, it will be your birth-day into eternal life."   Heaven is a wonderful place -- and what a blessed hope we have that this will be us someday -- when we get to go through that doorway and see our Savior face-to-faceI
#HeavenIsForReal

He Blesses the Work of Our Hands

Day 7 of 365 Photo Inspirations.

It's quite effortless to be inspired in my children's homes -- where there are grandchildren filled with life, wonder and excitement.  In addition to those little live-wires, the precious symbols, photos and memorabilia all over their homes gives me many opportunities to capture and seize precious moments, and even remember special times from the past.  

This beautiful shadowbox display has a prominent place in my daughter's home.  It represents two of the most precious memories that we have -- the Christening outfit  worn by my grandson, Payton, and 2-1/2 years later, the Christening dress and jacket worn by my granddaughter, Alexia.  I made the dress and jacket.  I had such joy in selecting the pattern, the fabric, and sewing each stitch, weaving in the ribbon and sewing on the lace.

I have such a sweet remembrance of this time -- of course the incredible significance of dedicating those babies to God, but especially the pride and joy I had in seeing precious little Alexia in that dress I made with such tender loving care.  It was tedious work, but only because I wanted it to be perfect for my new little granddaughter.  I haven't sewn much since that little dress -- other than the occasional repair of a seam or letting out or taking in a clothing item.

Sewing was a big deal back in "my day".  I took home economics in school and learning to sew was a vital part of that class.  I'm still grateful for what I learned during those days. It has served me well.

Today, with stores full of clothing so readily available to us as well as so reasonably priced, it takes someone who really loves her sewing craft to take the time and effort to make a dress or outfit.  But loving her craft provides so many rewards -- like the reward I had today in the sweet memories.

As I gazed at this work of art in the shadowbox, I realized that "the work of our hands" can be a ministry -- as we sew or craft something for someone, prepare a meal for someone that may be homebound, repair or remodel areas in a home, wash dishes, paint, caress a child, and reach out to touch someone with love.   God has given each of us unique gifts for ministry.  What has the fruit of YOUR hands done for others?  Take it from me -- the rewards of allowing God to use our hands in ministry and service to others is beyond blessing.  "The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands....." Deuteronomy 28:12

You are FABulous!

Just a little reminder....just in case you don't like what you see in the mirror -- there is really only one opinion that matters.....and if God sees you FABULOUS & BEAUTIFUL ....then you are FABULOUS & BEAUTIFUL indeed! We ARE beautiful because God says we are -- “PERIOD.” When we walk in that kind of word, there is nothing, no nothing, that should EVER change our mind or sway our thinking otherwise. He wants us to see ourselves through His eyes, and through His perspective. I love this verse.....Psalm 139:14 "I praise YOU because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; YOUR works are wonderful. I know that full well." This verse is a reminder that our duty is to praise God for what He has made. Each and every one of us is a wonderful work of art. Yes, He thinks we're beautiful. Just the way we are. We are not defined by our wrinkles, our gray hair, our muffin top tummies, our husband, our job, our age, or our kids. We are exactly as we should be, FABULOUS & BEAUTIFUL because the One who made us is FABULOUS & BEAUTIFUL. Isn't it so great that we bear a striking resemblance to our CREATOR and DAD??