As I read Emily P. Freeman’s newest offering, A Million Little Ways, I was amazed that such a young woman (under a century old) could have such a wise soul. I’ll wager that Ms. Emily was surprised herself as God poured His light through her words like water flowing to the ocean. That is what our Father does through us.
Many restrict Art in their lives due to the fear that form will not match the Inspiration.
However, when the glass becomes more important than what fills it, that is takes the roller out of coaster—no stomach-stealing thrills, no brave hands untethered, no desire for another ride right now. Who would want to ride a coaster without the roller!
Inspiration is Pure Light; form, the rainbow prism shinings. Artistry comes in all kinds of packages. We just need to look for it and allow Art to beam through our pane, inspiring us first, then inspiring and encouraging others.
Although I recognize some of my gifts, organization is not one. However, this week I was hit with a double whammy—two out-of-state visitors arriving, my guest bedroom and library looking like a “dirty clothes/scraps of paper/last year’s unused Christmas cards newly promoted” bomb exploded, filling each room knee-deep in—Aw, you get the picture.
However, two gifted friends came to my door, a rescue party of two. Suzanne and Donna arrived and created the most beautiful art amidst disaster zones. To my astonishment, they even were laughing, having the best time visiting while establishing order and peace in my home, one shovelful at a time.
Order from chaos–socks in drawers, books in library, office supplies on shelves where others of their kind had already been placed during a previous rescue party.
“How beautiful the hands that serve/The wine and the bread” to RoseAnne in her home”– (Paris, Twila. “How Beautiful,” elyrics.net)
A Rescue Party of Two—the beautiful, artful hands of Christ to me.
I witnessed another example of two amazing people allowing God to show His living/breathing art through their lives as believers, as a couple, and as the parents of SIX children.
Bearing no offspring of my own, I didn’t know what to expect from a supper table ringed with kids from 14 to two. I first noticed the artful way their mother, Sandy, handled the flow of bodies through her kitchen with the ease of an air traffic controller; all the while kindly and attentively asking questions about my life, while finishing supper prep for nine.
“We are having Mexican, since I knew you liked it,” Sandy softly said with a little shoulder shrug shyness. I marveled at this homeschooling mother’s ability to order her moments as I eyed the freshly baked cake and beautifully browned enchiladas on the stove, accompanied by beans and rice, corn and salad—along with children who were clothed, asking questions about my travels, filling cups, helping with the smallest diners.
After a sweet blessing from the littlest one and added on to by Luke, the dad, Sandy began to serve plates. I noticed the children’s waiting to eat. Luke explained, “We decided to have everyone wait to eat until Sandy has served all and has her food, too. If we didn’t, Sandy wouldn’t even eat a bite before being asked for seconds.”
Hungry kids waiting to eat? No whining about being starved, wanting Mom to just hurry up?!
The beauty of respecting their mom and wife by delaying their own satisfaction was dazzling.
Later, after clearing supper from the table and Sandy’s making fresh whipped cream for dessert topping, we all dug into delicious, white peaked pumpkin cake. Luke and Sandy talked to me about their deepest desires to love and serve Jesus well in how they raise their children, in how they live every moment. Even in the most beautiful cathedral with pooled stained glass light beams, I could not have been more inspired by the Body of Christ than that night with this family of eight who struggle every day for the means to support them all but are intentional in joy and godliness–in the midst a family of eight.
It is so clear Sandy and Luke want to find beauty, allow beauty, invite beauty even to the most meager of moments to see Jesus themselves, to show Jesus to their six children, to be Jesus to me–and now to you, Friend.
Beautiful Rescue Party of two.
Beautiful enchiladas.
Beautiful marriage.
Beautiful kids.
Simply beautiful.
RoseAnneColeman :: Let’s be Facebook friends!
* * * * *
Living Your Art
1. Sonya La McCllough ~ Sonya Mac Designs
2. Sara Fowler ~ Castles in the Air
3. Richella Parham ~ Imparting Grace
4. Amanda ~ The Scarlet Paisley
5. Barbara Fanta ~ On Instagram
6. Lizzie Branch ~ Kairos Coaching
1. Katherine Carrera ~ Declare Designs
2. Ashley Mafima ~ on Twitter
3. Ginny Futvoye ~ via email
4. Susan Crouch ~ via email
5. Emily ~ rose and mint
6. Katie Cannon ~ A Southern Lady Designs
7. Madeline ~ The Little Decorator
8. Deanna ~ The Pure Sacrifice
9. Peggy Schafer ~ via email
Thank you for continuing to upload your images to Twitter or Instagram and tagging them with #inbooks and #AMillionLittleWays (or #AMLW if you don’t have room). It feels like unearthing buried treasure when I find them! I’ve been trying not to share any one person’s art twice, but a few of you are uploading so many WONDERFUL images, I think next week we might see a few pictures from artists I’ve already shared. Everyone get creative! RoseAnne’s fantastic guest post shows you another glimpse of how broad the definition of artist can be :).
~ Robin for the Bloom Team
Leave a Comment
sonyamacdesigns says
Hey, Robin … Thank YOU for the photo share.
The light switch plate reminds us that because Jesus lives inside of us that believe, in a born, dead & risen savior we are responsible to turn on HIS love light in a million little ways. Our destiny is set in stone & our victory is won. Praise Time N Tennessee!
sonyamacdesigns says
This book has revived & renewed all of my thoughts on creativity and the master creator. It is so beautiful to know, your not the only one in the room. And to think I sat in Emily’s class at She Speaks this past summer. To God be the Glory!
Lisa-Jo @lisajobaker says
Following the photo posts I think is my favorite favorite. So many beautiful snapshots of everyday, extraordinary art!!
Joanne Peterson says
This is lovely, and graceful, the photos, the story of the clean up and the shared meal, and their story. I am reading a million little ways and this post also just now jogged my memory of the book by Edith Schaeffer entitled “The Hidden Art of Homemaking,” it’s purpose is making a loving and artistic home wherever we are. I think, Jesus is trying to tell me something………
RoseAnne Coleman says
Edith was a powerhouse! Grace to you, Joanne:-)
Katie @ASouthernLadysR says
so excited to see my journal page featured here this week. I love the book and it is really a good read.
Tori says
Such great pictures. God’s glory is definitely being reflected here!
Rebecca Hatch says
Beautiful. This made my day… Thank-you!
RoseAnne Coleman says
You made mine, Rebecca:-) Grace and beauty to you this day.
RoseAnne
Sarah says
The guest post was absolutely beautiful. As a homeschooling mother of 5 who has a passion for loving hearts, my art is often the sometimes unrecognized beauty that happens in time spent with someone:) Such beautiful words. And so encouraging. Thank you, Roseanne.
Thank you Bloom Team. I love the book and the pictures and the videos. What a blessing:)
Lara says
I loved this post! Thank you for such inspiring and thought- provoking words…’ many restrict art in their lives due to the fear that form will not match the inspiration’ This is something I really struggle with, and sometimes allow it to overwhelm me to the point that I procrastinate making the art for fear it will not turn out like the vision in my mind! The comments by the ladies taking part in this study and Emily’s book are really helping to change my skewed perception of myself and causing hope to arise in my abilities to make art happen! This post; Ihttp://kindawonderful.typepad.com/pink_paper_peppermints/2008/03/how-to-actually.html
also helped turn the lights on for me and tomorrow I am going to start a creative art project with my girls! Thank you! Also love seeing the collages!
RoseAnne Coleman says
Yippee! The beauty of God flows through us and around us and in us. Blessings on the project with your girls–You are telling the next generation of the faithfulness of God:-)
RoseAnne
Dawn says
Joanne- I also thought of the book ‘the hidden art of homemaking’ as I read this post. I have the book but have never read it- maybe it should be next on my list!
Joanne Peterson says
I read the book many years ago and was in a different place than what I am now. I remember liking the book, but I’m believing I would benefit from reading the book again after reading AMLW. I do recommend the book. Edith Schaeffer was very gracious and very creative in all she did and this comes across in her writing. A very loving and lovely woman.
Blessings Dawn,
Joanne
Beth Williams says
Loved the pictures and your post! God’s plan for us is to be Christ-like in all that we do and say. I feel God created us to be artful creatures–even if your art is cooking, or homemaking.
Thankful for friends who call/email or just stop by and lend a helping hand now and then. Doing little things for people is what God wants from all of us!
God Bless!
RoseAnne Coleman says
Thankful that you “stopped by” to leave an encouragement for me. Sometimes those simple things in life make us rich, You artful creature of God, you–Beth!
RoseAnne
Robin Dance says
Do y’all remember RoseAnne from our Bloom study of Richard Foster’s book, “Prayer”? She was our first guest to join Angie and Jessica! Loved her then, love her now!
And yes–I LOVE seeing the interpretation of art splashing all over Twitter and Instagram. Thanks to ALL!
Sara says
I remember her! So awesome to that this post was written by the same RoseAnne who shared so much wisdom during the “Prayer” book study.
“The beauty of respecting their mom and wife by delaying their own satisfaction was dazzling.” This really impacted me. So beautiful.
Thanks Robin for putting together the collages of art!
RoseAnne Coleman says
THANKS TO ROBIN!
You are so beautiful to me…..:-)
RoseAnne
beverley says
I am sorry i don’t have Instagram or twitter but here is a link to God’s Art in Me
http://pioneerstoday.wordpress.com/2013/11/03/gods-art-in-me/
Paula McLane Jennings says
I can’t wait til my copy of A Million Little Ways arrives.