Art in My Heart

I am totally new to the blogging scene, but have always had art in my heart.

Actually, we all do!

Because we are HIS art.

The Creative God who formed us in our mother’s wombs and knew us long before we took our very first breath. The God who has plans for us and loves us with an everlasting love. This God who wants us to know Him intimately and be with Him forever and ever and ever…  Amazing!

The beauty that He has created in this world is breathtaking. From purple-mountain-majesty, to still waters that reflect whatever is over them like glass, to the tiniest details in the most delicate flowers. It was all made by His hands. All for us.

That blows me away when I really stop and think about it. Just the thought of HIM can overwhelm me at times and bring me to my knees in worship.

And the fact that He wants to be with ME? Little me? Made from the dust me?

But He does. There is no doubt He does.

I know, because He sent His one and only Son to be the sacrifice for my sin. And not just for mine, but for the sin of the whole world. ALL who will believe can be called a child of God. ALL!

THAT is Amazing Grace friends!!

I am so grateful! How can words possibly describe this gratitude?! They can’t.

But God knows my heart. He made my heart. He put His art in my heart and wants to use it all for His glory.

So I will trust and obey and every day of my life I will try to reflect His glory back to Him.

Almost a year ago my husband gave me a camera for Christmas. Not a hugely expensive camera, but a simple digital, point and click camera that I soon fell in love with. I had no idea at the time, the joy that I would find in capturing bits of beauty, and reflections of His glory. Just to hold a moment in time with an image and reflect on the absolute creative beauty of God fills my heart. It is all His art and I hope to capture bits of it and share it for the rest of my life.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

- Psalm 19:1-2

God Will Direct Your Steps

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight.

~  Proverbs 3:5-6

Season of Change

Summer geese flying high in the fading blue sky

Waving their wings at the Fall

Saying goodbye in the blink of an eye

Dark silhouettes growing small

And the chill in the air whispers winter is near

As the autumn leaves twirl on the ground

The daylight so fair all too soon disappears

Long cold nights start to tip-toe around

In this season of change we reflect on the days

Quickly gone like a long-lost friend

And our minds find it strange in so many ways

Another year could be close to an end

But the clock doesn't lie and the snowflakes will fly

As we sit by the fire’s warm glow

Giving thanks for the times when the winter sun shines

Making diamonds appear on the snow.

Autumn is a wonderful time of year that seems to enter in like a warm familiar hug giving us a sense of comfort as we pull on our favorite sweaters, simmer the soup on the stovetop, and watch the leaves slowly change from vibrant green, to gold, copper, and crimson - the shades of a beautiful sunset. Soon all the trees let down their covering, to cover the ground with cozy quilts patched together with these bits of fallen sunset, and we marvel at the beauty. Certain birds fly south, but some birds of a feather, still stick here together with us and snuggle close-by in the evergreens. It’s a time to pause and give thanks for the bountiful harvest of beauty, and all that is right and good in our lives. It’s a beautiful season of change, but it’s only a season, and soon, there’s no doubt winter is coming.

I’m in a season of change right now, with winter winds whipping at the door, and I have no idea how long and cold this winter may be. But I give thanks, for all of the beauty that has been, and all that is yet to come, even in the middle of a sudden winter.

I will be still, and stay warm by the fire, because 

I have faith in the One 

Who MADE the bright sun 

And each diamond on my covering of snow.

He made the moon to mark the seasons,
 and the sun knows when to go down.

~ Psalm 104:19

Embracing the Silver

I’m beginning to embrace these silver-gray strands in my hair.

Reminders of life lived so far

And wisdom that comes with years.

Isn't silver something precious?

Why do we try to color away our perceived imperfections?

Seeing tarnish instead of brilliance?  

Why do we listen so intently to what the world says “should be”?

And sadly try too hard to be something we were never meant to be?

Whose approval is it we are seeking anyway?

And in the striving for this ever-elusive approval,

What are we truly missing?

I don’t want to miss the beauty in this moment.

None of these moments are ever a promise,

But each, a precious gift

From The One

Who is painting silver-beauty

Into my life.

“Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God

till I declare Your power to the next generation,

Your mighty acts to all who are to come.”

~ Psalm 71:17-18

Splashing in Light

Morning light

comes streaming in

through wide-open windows. . .

and spills

all over the floor.

Inviting me to jump and splash,

to splatter warmth

and golden beauty

all around.

And the joy in the moment

whispers to my soul,

Arise and shine...

Shine

His glory.

There is something so hopeful in watching the sun rise. The promise of a fresh new day, where for just a moment, you imagine all the joyous possibility of it. Remembering what has been, but with a prayer in your heart, moving forward in God’s grace.

"Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning,

for I am trusting in You. Show me where to walk,

for I give myself to You."

~ Psalm 143:8