Wednesday, January 26, 2011

one thing leads to another...

and soon you've traveled far in blog land!

I did some of that over the last few days and landed on Homegrown Hospitality where I further stumbled upon an offer for a Basic Doodling class! How cool is that?

I'm already dreaming of how I can incorporate some ideas into cards...

and maybe... just maybe... it'll provide an outlet for my thoughts to connect somehow on paper... and become a time & place for inner quiet & healing?

I'm looking forward to seeing how one thing may lead to another in this adventure.


Saturday, January 15, 2011

wings ...

We raise our children and then when they are ready, they soar into their world; we give them their wings that they might broaden their horizons - to learn - to explore - to experience.

Occasionally an enemy that threatens to clip their wings - quaking in fear of the unknow, they seek a place of refuge.

I too want to find that place of refuge - a place where I can rest - a place that will provide me shelter.

Our worlds have been rocked beyond understanding and I find myself in a place of uncertainty and doubt, questioning my ability to adequately provide them their wings. What advice can I possibly give that will help heal their hurt? Contrary to what I most ardently desire, I can't fix things for them.

Out of this mindset, I turned to the book of Psalms and found Ps 55.6 - it seemed to describe for me exactly the way I was feeling... "Oh that I had the wings of a dove - I would fly away and be at rest" Mindful of a challenge on SCS to use circles on a card & this card for additional inspiration, I worked out some graphic images that I felt would work. I found the DP in my stash - it was an unopened package of scenic 12x12 and I loved the color of the sky of this particular piece. As a final touch, I added dew drops to create an effect of rays and Spica Glitter pen to give the dove a little pizazz.

With the card now finished, I began to think about why that particular verse struck me. I wanted to flee. I wanted an escape. As I contemplated my thoughts, I realized there was some real stinkin' thinkin' happening. I was getting very close to throwing one amazing pity party!! and yet deep down I knew that wouldn't solve anything - nor would I feel any better...

To escape is not an option, for although I would love to fly away and be at rest, this is the place to which I have been called - this is the place where I must stay. This is the time when I must, once more, turn to the One who has called me - who knows me by name - who knows my childen - who knows all that has come our way - to turn to Him for ultimately, He is my Refuge - my Strength - and under His wings I will find shelter.

and before I leave you, my reader, with some incorrect impressions... I still don't have this all figured out. I know that there are going to be lots of days ahead where I'll want to bury my head in the sand - or crawl into a hole - or fly away to find rest - but for now - for this moment - I think I can say that I'm OK - that God's going to help us through - that somehow one day things will be different. That hope is what I'm hanging on to...