A Heritage of Creativity

There are not many things that make me happier than being crafty and creative. There is just something about being able to take things that are plain, industrial, or old and turn them into something fabulous! I also love taking a variety of papers or fabrics and combining patterns that contrast and compliment to create something for your eyes to feast on.

Through the years as I have learned how to and enjoyed creating many things I have decided that it must be somewhat genetic. Of course, this is not scientifically proven (that I know of), but I certainly come from what I consider a heritage of creativity. My mom is extremely creative and talented and often doesn't give herself enough credit for her abilities. I often go seeking out her opinion or help when I'm stuck on a project and don't know how to keep going or what to do next. If I keep going back another generation I find my Mamaw and all of her talents and abilities as well.

Some of my favorite memories are of staying at my Mamaw and Papaw's house with my cousins during the summer. This gave me a front row seat for watching Mamaw's creativity in the back bedroom at the sewing machine, in the kitchen, or in the living room where she crochet many a pot holder and wash rag. We also spent lots of time putting together puzzles - I think that constitutes creativity!

I was convinced that my Mamaw could make anything when it came to the sewing machine. Dresses, shorts, shirts, pajamas, quilts, barbie clothes, pound puppies, cabbage patch dolls and my most favorite clown doll (which everyone thinks is creepy except my cousins who have their own clown dolls!) are a few of Mamaw's creations. I look around my parents' home and now my home and I see so many things that I cherish that at some point were touched by her hands.

I have tried over the years to ask her questions about things that she has made and to let her know how much I value the time and energy she put into such wonderful heirlooms. I hope she knows that she has always inspired me to not only create beautiful things, but to do it well. Mamaw's projects were as near to perfection as I have ever seen. She certainly has always paid attention to details. That's a pretty high standard to live up to, but I find myself being a perfectionist in this area of my life (as many of you know, I am not a perfectionist in any OTHER area of my life!). I guess I just want to make her proud - which I know she is. That fills my heart with joy!

I guess I'm pretty sentimental about these very special reminders of love from my Mamaw and I hope I never let myself forget that. Recently I was working on a quilt that I want to give to her and I stitched a big part of it wrong. As I was ripping out the seems I kept thinking, "All of these seams were sewn AND RIPPED OUT with love!" I'm certain she would have given that a big chuckle. Goodness knows, she has torn out many a seam over the years in an effort to express her love through something handmade. I am so glad I now have the desire to continue in this "heritage of creativity."

All of this thinking about creativity makes me think of the one and only Creator. What a heritage we have in that. We are all creations, formed in the image of God. No mistakes, no ripped out seams, just perfectly constructed beings formed with love by our heavenly Father. The Bible says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps. 139:14). What an amazing work of art we all are. Praise God that he loves us that much.

So each time I use a crocheted pot holder, or curl up in my t-shirt quilt, or look at that crazy clown doll I will not only think of my Mamaw, but also of the Creator who made me in his image and gave me the ability to be creative.

Well, the sewing machine is calling my name and I think there is a bottle of mod podge around here somewhere . . . I just can't escape this craziness and I love every minute of it!

So go for it . . . grab some scissors or yarn or fabric and make something fun and unique - just like you!

When it rains . . .

 . . . it pours! And if that is the case, I feel like I am standing in a monsoon and I forgot my rain boots and umbrella!

I guess we all face times when we just want to throw our hands in the air and say "I give up already!" That's where I'm at and boy would it be nice to just be able to snap my fingers and get everything back to normal (whatever that is!). That's probably not going to happen though.

It is hard for me to keep in perspective that the things that I feel are storms in my life are like a light sprinkle in someone else's life. I have to guard myself against selfishness and forgetting the needs of those around me. It's not very easy though. Sometimes I just want to pout, stomp my feet and have a good cry!

I know that the Bible teaches that our Christian life will not be without trials or hard times. It does, however, encourage us to keep going, knowing that the pain will not last forever and that persevering through it will strengthen us for the rest of this journey we call life.

James 1:12 says:

"Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life." (The Message)

Life and more life . . . that sounds like a pretty good trade off for the trials that I face from day to day. Why would I want to throw in the towel when I have promises like this?

Many of you are probably familiar with the song "Blessings" by Laura Story. (If not, it's on my playlist at the bottom of the blog.) That song has become an anthem of sorts for me ever since I heard it. It seems that each time I am facing something new that isn't what I had pictured for myself, this song seems to speak to that exact need. I want to share the lyrics because they continue to resonate in my heart and mind when I think of trials that I face and the trials that I see my friends and family face each day.

Blessings (by Laura Story)

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering.

All the while, you hear each spoken need,

Yet love us way to much to give us lesser things.

Chorus:

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?

What if your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights

are what it takes to know you're near?

What if trials of this life

are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, your voice to hear.

We cry in anger when we cannot feel you near.

We doubt your goodness. We doubt your love.

As if ever promise from Your Word is not enough.

And all the while You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe.

(Chorus)

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win

We know the pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home.

It's not our home.

Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops?

What if your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights

are what it takes to know you're near?

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst

This world can't satisfy?

And what if the trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise?

I pray that as we all face trials in this life, that ultimately we would find "the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy." I also pray that we would go running into the arms of the only One who truly can satisfy our longings and carry us through the storm.

Love to you all and blessings as we walk this journey together.