Spiritual gifts are a blessing from God to build up the church. However, it can be difficult to identify them in yourself or know how best to use them. Listen to Carol as she talks about spiritual gifts.
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Creative Puzzle Pieces of Life
What type of creative puzzle pieces show up in your Life? There are times I want to block out the rest of my responsibilities and simply do something creative. But the negative voice in my head questions my ability to try new things, create anything worthwhile or makes me feel guilty for spending the time in a creative endeavour. Yet all the various types of creativity forms part of our makeup. It is part of our uniqueness.
I look at the world around me and marvel at the uniqueness of creation. God chose to make vibrant colours, interesting animals and some very strange ones as well. Just think of an elephant with its trunk, the long necked giraffe or the strangest of all looking animals – the duck billed platypus and wonder if God had a sense of humor as he created each animal. Then look at people with all their unique characteristics and looks. I believe he added this desire and ability to be creative into our makeup as well.
Creativity Manifested
Creativity can be manifested in so many forms, from art to music, to needlework, sewing, woodwork and more. Yet during the last year I have had a number of lessons on the creative endeavor of art journaling.
At the end of August 2017, my one granddaughter and I had a long conversation. She encouraged me to try keeping an art journal. I protested that I was not an artist like she was. She reminded me that I could use many things in such a journal without having to be an artist who could draw amazing pictures. Fancy tape, flat objects, coloured pencils, pens and paint or fancy papers could all be used to create a special page. Imagination was really the only requirement. She showed me her art journals that included some of her amazing artwork but also included writing, journaling, different kinds of papers including store receipts that she embellished.
A Creative Workshop
When I attended the Inscribe Christian Writer’s Fellowship fall conference in September 2017 I signed up for a workshop led by Shelley Hitz from Colorado Springs. The workshop was called ‘The Art of Prayer’. I had been unsure what to expect. She encouraged us to explore watercolours, markers, pencil crayons, and coloured pens to add interest to our journal pages, whether a prayer journal, one for taking sermon notes or a journal of our thoughts, ideas and life happenings. She also encouraged us to simply enjoy the journey of trying something new. She told us we did not have to be an artist in the traditional sense of the word. We had the opportunity to play with colours that day and I enjoyed the time with other writers and artists to explore a new venture.
I felt like God was giving me the same message from two different people, in two different venues about the importance of allowing creativity to flow through my life and my day. It could take on various forms, including art journals. Two more times during the remainder of 2017 and into the beginning of 2018 I received information about creativity and art journals. I finally listened and began to play with creativity in a small art journal.
Creative Family Members
I enjoy the artwork of friends and family members. I love to look at well done photographs and read interesting stories. My grandson, Nathaniel, creates beautiful wood projects. His sister, Arianna, is an artist. My son-in-law Bruce works magic with a camera and his girls Kathryn and Victoria, as well as my daughter explore various forms of creative projects from photography to drawing and painting or creating with cloth or yarn. I marvel at some of the pieces that have been produced from these family members.
I do not think of myself as an artist, although I have always loved to doodle while I listen. It helps me focus. I have tried crocheting but not making up my own patterns. I write as an outlet for the creativity puzzle piece in my life. I play with paper and embellishments when I scrapbook family stories. Yet this workshop urged me to explore outside my comfort zone. It intrigued me and I signed up for her Creative Adventure Group on Facebook, which offered encouragement and prompts.
Trying Something New
Following what others are doing, commenting on their posts and pictures and learning in a workshop helps me begin to step out of my familiar avoidance of trying something new. I pushed myself to attempt some lettering last week and got brave enough to post it on the group for others to see and comment on. Then I took another step and used it as a Facebook post and now on this blog.
I think I will try other prompts she provides or more lettering that matches up with my writing, my blogs or as a way of adding a different dimension to my journal. I might even add some bookmarks to give when people buy a book or use personally done postcards to send a note of encouragement to someone.
Creative Outlook
Life can seem like a bunch of random puzzle pieces. Some might fit together easily but others do not appear to have a place. Yet together they make up our lives. Creativity is one of those pieces which takes on many shapes and colours.
How does it manifest itself in your life? Are you ready to try something new, either for the sake of attempting it or because it might just fit with other things you are doing?
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life.
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential. She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope. She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren. Visit her website carolscorner.ca
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Images Credits
Jigsaw Puzzle – Wounds_ And_Cracks
Knitting – Foundry
Painting – Bodobe
Writing – StockSnap
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