Where is Your Art?

We all have some sort of artistic, creative ability. We have been, after all, made in the image of God and he has the most creative character known. One only needs to consider nature to believe God is creative.

Some of us have just a smattering of creative juices. We sit behind a desk crunching numbers all day, gazing out the window from time to time. Perhaps we find ourselves imagining a dragon in some passing cloud formation. While others only see us as factual realists, they are not privy to our creative side that emerges spontaneously when we look away from our data sheets. Nevertheless, it is there, hidden beneath a blanket of  linear equations.

Others of us have creativity woven into the various areas of life. Not considered "artists" but undeniably creative. We don't just make pancakes for the children, we create edible shapes. We don't simply wrap a gift, we take care to decorate the packaging with ribbons and unique toppers. Our kitchens have accent walls, our gardens have gnomes watching over the spinach, we knit and bake and decorate the trees outside at Christmastime. Other's wonder how we manage to do it all.

Then, there are those of us who bear the title of an artist. We are painters, writers, sculptors, chefs, landscapers, photographers. We may not work professionally at our artistic passion, but we are artists just the same. Money doesn't make one an artist, the need to express oneself through art makes one an artist. We think in terms of our art in all that we do. We see photo opportunities in every scene, prose in every situation, ornate gardens in every landscape.

Each of us falls into one of these three categories, or somewhere in between. We are creative, we are artists. Where is your art?

Encouragement: Contemplate where your art is. I believe expressing artistic abilities brings great joy. If your art is simply in watching the clouds go by and imagining what each one looks like, do it. If your art is making the beds in your home with contrasting coverings and pillows, creating an inviting oasis for sleepy children at night, make them. If you art is writing poems for pleasure or publication, or both, write them. 

To Write is Divine

To think is human, to write is divine. All of us think, every day. Some of us can't stop thinking. We lie awake at night thinking, thinking, thinking. Then, there are those of us who write our thoughts down. Why? For me it is because I have to. Writing is almost as automatic for me as breathing. When I don't write my mind growls, like a hungry belly.

When I say "to write is divine," I don't at all intend to insinuate that writing is some sort of deity. I don't worship it and it is not the center of my universe. However, writing is a creative outlet and I worship a God who is creative. I am made in his image, like everyone else on this planet. For me, writing is heavenly, wonderful, energizing. 

What is heavenly to one is not to another. Give me a blank canvas, paint and a brush and leave me alone. After an entire day I will likely be found with a blank canvas. Give me a pen and a notebook and leave me alone. After a day, the pages of the notebook will be filled with poems, stories, prayers, whatever comes to mind.

So, whoever you are, wherever you are, welcome to my blog. If you love to write, I hope I inspire you. If you love to read, I hope I entertain you in some small way.  

Encouragement for today: Spend some time doing what you find heavenly, wonderful, energizing. Do it simply because you love it and it makes you happy.