Others see what we do, but God sees why we do it.

Knowing that God sees everything frees us from thinking about the watchful eyes of others. When we do what is right, we need no applause from onlookers; when we sin, we do not need to worry about our reputation once we settle the issue with God and anyone we’ve harmed. We can rest knowing that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the wh...ole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chron. 16:9) ~ Jennifer Benson Schuldt

 
The above excerpt from The devotional called "Our Daily Bread" brings to mind many things for me in my walk with Christ. Firstly, it reminds me of our human nature. How we all fall into the traps of judgment and opinion over others when they don't seem to follow or be what you would like them to in order to be a part of our breathing space or personal circle of friends. How someone needs to be just like us to be acceptable. How we view others by our standards and miss the fact that God's standard are all that truly matter and how beloved we all are in His eyes. We all judge this way from time to time. I have to catch myself when I commit this offense or I miss it, I need to reflect upon my actions and words that can cause harm to others as well for myself with my relationship being right with God. Asking in prayer to be pure of heart is an ongoing endeavor that only a living God can supply us and get us through. An example for me and the feelings of judgment as a receiver have been a hard lesson to overcome, however it has lead me to a better understanding of the effects and nature of this often times destructive behavior. Not everybody has an open mind and on the surface some may be blind to who you are as you grow deeper and deeper in love and understanding of His will for you.
ie.; I love to dance. I make no bones about it but it's more often not through words of declaration or photos of proof but through my daily actions, however, not everybody sees my dancing the way I do. While many enjoy and are uplifted by my exuberance and technical skills, I've also been on the receiving end of ridicule. I've been evicted from a certain area where I liked to preform it in a facility. I've been mocked and gossiped about. I've been called a show off and people have wondered if I'm off mentally or on drugs. Why? Because it doesn't fit into their presumption of what is acceptable. Their standards of how I should present myself under their set of rules. Something as harmless as feeling free and open to the possibilities of Gods gift to me can become a barrier for others to see who I really am as a person. But this I understand, not everyone is going to see why I do it in a facility that is not a dance studio. Their reasons, without knowing it themselves could fall anywhere from feeling I'm a threat somehow, to jealousy or even breaking an age old code of old standard morality. To put it simply, I enjoy it. That's really all there is to it on the surface if you were to be an observer even if it goes much deeper for me personally as I do feel it would be an offense to God not to experience or share what He so graciously gave to me as He made me capable. For the most part those who are offended won't see it any other way then through their shade of glasses as long as they keep them on.
This is why it is so important for all believers to remember who we are "In Christ" as we continually remember and reflect on where our standards are and align them there at His feet. I know my God delights in me dancing and that I'm praising/thanking Him for His gifts to me as I spin and twirl. The possibility that I can bring Him glory does give me a selfish motive but it also has the potential, that in time, those who were not open, find their walls crumbling, whereby opening up more possibilities of learning and growing through acceptance and compassion, giving to others encouragement to persevere. Isn't this how we are to be? A living example through daily life with consistency and pure motives. All this helps me somehow know and feel I'm in His will and He's smiling down on me. These are enough reasons to spur me on in spite of opposition and judgment by others. Go ahead His beautiful child spread your earthly wings. Don't be afraid of others opinions because "while others see what we do, God sees why we do it.

 

Lord, thank You for Your all-seeing nature. You know
everything I think and do. Help me to value Your
approval and live according to Your standards,
no matter what anyone else may think.

Recycled Plate Art

This weeks craft project started from a few finds at our local Goodwill store. Finding some plates and candlestick holders resulted in a tower of beauty that has multiple uses. Serving and entertaining use as well as a flower display. Up-cycling it the bomb!

Having some fun with vintage Edwardian era photography. Most happy with the hat which I made more extravagant with a garden festival around the brim. It was a Goodwill find made more beautiful giving it a new life, and that makes me happy.

Feeling good about creating again. Surges of inspiration are coming at me from everywhere. I wish I could bottle it and have it for those dry artists blocks that hit now and again. Then I could reach in and use just what I needed. When inspiration hits it's like a flood gate opening and impossible to contain it all. So blessed to have this feeling. So very blessed to seize the moment.

Starting a new canvas. Adding texture and abstract elements. Can't wait to see where this takes me when painting in the moment. Pieces of me lay out into life and made visible. What could be more satisfying than using God's gifts. I know he gave this to me to give me pleasure and I'm humbled and grateful even in those dark days of uninspired blahs. God is Good,  beyond any measure.

Free Background Images For Your Art

Some new art journaling backgrounds to use in your collage. Feel free to rip, cur and paste as you create your next meaningful art journaling page.

EMBRACING SPRING

It was a superbly perfect day as the time started to slip away. While creeping closer from across the distant mountain flush with bright green buds subtly turning into steel blue with the reflection of  a rapidly approaching rainstorm threatening to spoil my blissful indulgence, I patiently awaited its indignant arrival. All the while carrying a distinct but ominous moodiness ready to spill sorrow with an impending promise of flashing lights and thunderous gray echos, I closed my eyes and thought; "you don't frighten me, I will choose to welcome you with arms wide open." Even as the soft gentle drops found their way to me, I reveled in the surprising coolness when they instantly melted on my skin after the delicate foregoing splash. Suddenly, jolted from this temporal state an aroma of a nearby sweet but mysterious fragrance captivated me. With a curiosity of a child it was drawing me closer as the spring rain caressed the tiny petals of wisteria, instantly giving the moment a hightened floral scent I rather like very much.  I had the desire to harness its intrinsic truth so I may lay it on my pillow before my evenings rest and dream of the day well spent. As I swiftly passed through their fluttering spears attempting to take cover, they cheerfully jittered and swayed from side to side as if fancifully dancing a duet with the rush of a rather brisk wind, ever so humbly enticing me as if to say: "I can do much more than fill one sense for you but you mustn't hurry." With full acceptance and gratitude I found my heart still in the presence of such beauty while I secretly yearned for this singular moment to be transformed into a memory that would be as significant as any milestone could, pleading for it to last for more than a few seconds before the change engulfed me , I knew it could not last as I contiued on. Once again I am reminded of all this beautiful season has to offer with a renewed sense of hope and new found possibilities that lift my spirit with wings of joy, giving way to a blessed freedom in beholding its wondrous glory. Who could begrudge it? I will forever look upon you in amazement from all your natural gifts us as if they may never come my way again. Giving thanks now, I know the sunshine will peek its soothing warmth and kiss my face once again. This is a miracle in simplicity beckoning to cease the cares and worry that could hinder this most perfect feeling. Thank you, thank you many times over thank you. I hope today everyone who reads this will find there moment of bliss in the midst of what appears to be a looming storm. May your garden grow with joy, love and happiness that can be found in the smallest moments in time.

My Remains of the Day Fabric Journal

I love the whole shabby chic look of these journals from Mary Ann Moss instructions for Remains of the Day artist/travel journal. This particular one is a 6x9 with scrap pages as inserts.

I'm very much looking forward to my next one that will include some 140lb. watercolor paper including patterned paper as accents and pocket inserts. First, I must complete this one by adding more ephemera and photos. I need to sew more around the fabric including attaching the signatures. It's fun to piddle around with the inclusions before I start writing my memories and experiences :) If your interested in how this journal is made please visit Mary Ann Moss at Dispatch From LA for more information.

The whole journal layed out flat.

I still have a bit more sewing remaining but all in all I'm quite pleased with the outcome so far.

Variuos page inserts with half sheets with bits and pieces of waste/scraps that now have another purpose. This is one of my all time favorite projects and I can certainly see myself making many more journals with this concept in mind.

Time for a Change

Before I took Scooter for a bath he looked like his name should be changed to Mr. Scruffy!

Afterwards, I had to make certain I had the right dog to take home. Literally looking half his size and a few years younger than his actual going on 8.

So glad he is free from all that hot heavily matted, cumbersome hair. He is much more energetic and happy now bopping around with a quick little skip in his step. I'm quite sure I did the right thing for him :) His attitude is akin to saying... look out world, I'm ready for a new season of adventure and fun.

BTW-Front and center in the car for rides means he is my official navigator when driving....

I'm secretly on the hunt for an old buffet like this one from Pottery Barn's Ellsworth Collection. It would make a nice refreshing addition to my outdoor recreation area. Old weather worn furniture looks so appealing to me.

The meaning of "Time"

Time is a curious thing to me. It goes by and moves forward without giving us any choice. It is past, present and future all encapsulated in a second. It defines us as we move thru it and in it. Moments are blissfully ignored or significantly remembered forever. Time can either leave an indelible mark or it can be missed altogether. Remembering it's significance is up to us. It will be there just the same. Make the moments matter whether they are tiny little "ahhhh" awakening moments like the melody of happily singing birds in the morning or to the acknowledgment of everyday mundane stuff. How we view and experience time is what makes up the fabric in the quilt of our life with the events that unfold within it. I choose to be more present. To remember we are part and parcel of the same. We cannot be seperate from it while we are breathing. Time is a part of me in each passing moment as we are united and bound together. Living fully and in the moment is where I want to be. When I reflect on my past, I realize so much had been wasted by not paying much attention to the relevance of this very special gift. Yes, time is a gift! Some would give anything to have more of it. Life is much more than the blissful ignorance of it's worth. I vow to be more involved with its offerings rather than letting it just pass by un-noticed. Time is a mirror to telling us who we are and what we hope to be. When my time here on earth reaches its end for me, will I wish I had more or will I be ready to depart with resolve having a calm satisfaction of what "time" and its value has given me? Although, I'm never "on time" (to my husbands dismay) I naturally don't want to be too late for anything. One thing is certain... I am very blessed to be given what I have had thus far. For all its multi faceted ambiguous form and the process it allows and gives for each of us, I have a deep gratitude for my partnership with it and our experiences together, as well as, our developing relationship that is yet to come.

Not sure about the journing just yet. Contemplating something emotionally infused as this is a photo of my mother when she was pregnant with me. This is during a period of time when she was still building her nest of babies, which after all was said and done landed on five little chicks in total :)

The best part about art journaling for me aside from the emotional satisfaction- is the layering. When you get to a place where it all seems to come together. This page had a lot going on underneath and ended with an affirmation to myself through a much loved quote. This is so much more than a hobby!

A new series of self-portraits for a vintage feel. I'm truly a "Gibson Girl" at heart and being that this year is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, this will be my homage to that sad but captivating event.

More Graphite