The Art of Receiving ᥫ᭡♱ [_]>

“𝕌𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕝 𝕨𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕒𝕟 𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕟 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥, 𝕨𝕖'𝕣𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕒𝕟 𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕟 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥. 𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕨𝕖 𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕙 𝕛𝕦𝕕𝕘𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕔𝕖𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕡, 𝕨𝕖 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕪 𝕠𝕣 𝕦𝕟𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕙 𝕛𝕦𝕕𝕘𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕡.”

~ 𝔹𝕣𝕖𝕟é 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟, 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕚𝕗𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕀𝕞𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕗𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱ᥫ᭡♱

I'm continuing my path of *emotional, spiritual, and creative growth* (and lots of a perspective checks) with journaling inspiration from @leacayoungart Leaca Young’s class “The Heart of Journal Writing” #theheartofjournalwriting - 2nd quarter is *Growth & Connection*. One of the May prompts is, “The Art of Receiving.” There's a *lot* of Leaca inspiration here: quotes, stencils (the paper doll with overalls & watering can), swatching, printables, ideas, & support.

And, @ShaydaCampbell ‘s May “Journal With Me” prompts include: *slow down and savor the season*...create a peaceful, spring-inspired layout with simple floral borders, soft color palettes, and plenty of breathing room for thoughts and plans… my journal needs a LOT more calm.

This is the garden I've been tending, where my heart & studies have led me this week (study below). Is it without imperfections? Hardly (I found places I itched to fix when I filmed). But it represents my heart where it is now as I continually move forward. There's pages from an old poetry book, fabric scraps, and grateful gatherings of blessings I've *received* from so many friends.

Happies from my friends: a heart inspired by @soul_positive Kristi Nazzaro's that i stamped & blanket stitched; cardstock cloud by @illustratedfaith (thank you, @annetta_ale.art ); a beautiful pink floral cluster by @slaphappystudios Kim 🌿🩷; washi tape from @dinawakley & @alteredstatesstudio Kristin Peterson; to one of my dear artistic *sisters* @retired21 Ann, who always inspires me to stitch & use fabric in creative ways (and sent some awesome fabric my way); @ricki_ticki_tavy Ricki Midbrod's Mom's snippet rolls; @paintbyles Lesley Iverson's incredible digital papers; floral stencil by @stencilgirl_products @mbshaw @raemissigman ; @theuglyartclub THREADS May theme #tuacthread #uglyisstillart #theuglyartclub #tuac Lots of hand stitching & machine sewing on this.

#artheals #Christianartist #ArtForTheLord #radiategodslove #collageartist #MixedMediaArt #elegantgrunge #findjoyintheordinary #itsthelittlethings #GodsWordEveryDay #createshareinspire #messyart #LetGoOfPerfection #handstitched #sewinginmyjournal #dirtyfingershappyart #theworldismycraftstore #usewhatyouhave #imperfectionismymiddlename #positivitythroughcreativity #saveyourscraps #creativecommunity #slowstitching #everythingbutthekitchensink #junkjournaling

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Study notes

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Soul Seeds: The Art of Receiving

There are popular phrases I hear again and again:

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

“Make time to fill your cup.”

“Self-care isn’t selfish. Fill your cup first.”

But what if the metaphor isn’t quite right? I’ve tried to hold onto the “fill your cup” imagery, but I always find it lacking. It either implies I’m to keep everything for myself - or I should constantly be pouring out whatever I’ve managed to gather. There’s guilt in the giving and guilt in the receiving. What remains is often exhaustion.

So, what if I ditched the cup altogether? What if I tried a new metaphor and started to see myself using a watering can? A watering can doesn’t just hold something. It’s designed to receive in order to nourish. It fills through one opening and pours from another - purposeful and gentle. There is movement. Direction. Grace.

Here’s why the watering can work better: A watering can define the difference between filling and pouring. It has an opening made to receive and a spout made to give. There’s no confusion. I don’t have to wonder where it’s going or feel guilty about holding on. It’s not selfish to be filled - it’s sacred preparation. A watering can can be filled and still give.

I long to be a woman who doesn’t have to pause for permission to receive from God. I want to be filled as I go, rooted in the rhythm of His Word and the Spirit’s quiet nudges. I want to pour as I walk, letting His life-giving water sprinkle grace wherever He leads me. I want to be able to keep moving without burning out.

A watering can doesn’t work when it’s empty. That seems obvious, but how often do I forget? How often do I try to pour from fumes, scraping the bottom, apologizing for my need?

So what fills my watering can? God does. His Shekhinah (Hebrew: שְׁכִינָה) - His presence. His Word. His Spirit. He doesn’t require performance. He doesn’t rush me. He invites me to sit at the well and drink deeply. To listen. To stop clutching my empty container with shame. He waits patiently while I let go of the lie that says “you should have enough by now.”

Paul reminded Timothy, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6) I’m learning that contentment doesn’t mean pretending I don’t long for more. It means trusting that I already have what matters most - Jesus Himself.

“Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living.” ~ Jim Elliot

I’ve often wrestled with that balance. I’ve lived in the tension between longing and contentment, especially as someone prone to anxiety and overthinking. The ache for something more isn’t wrong. It’s part of being human. But letting the ache consume me, numb me, or convince me I’m lacking - that is where I get lost. God doesn’t ask me to “feel full.” He asks me to trust Him to fill me.

“Until we can receive with an open heart, we're never really giving with an open heart. When we attach judgment to receiving help, we knowingly or unknowingly attach judgment to giving help.” ~ Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection

This quote highlights a connection between giving and receiving. It suggests that genuine giving is rooted in the ability to receive with an open heart and without judgment, as my ability to give is often influenced by my own internal reactions to receiving help. Many times, I am willing to extend a helping hand, but am very reluctant to reach out for help when I need it myself. It’s as if I’ve divided the world into “those who offer help” and “those who need help.” The truth is that we are both. In order to experience real connection, I need to experience both giving and receiving.

Here's a deeper look at what this means:

Judgment and Receiving: When I judge myself for needing help, it can hinder my ability to truly accept and embrace the support offered. This internal judgment can create barriers to connection and authentic relationships.

Judgment and Giving: If I'm struggling to receive with openness and acceptance, it's likely I'll also carry that same internal judgment into my giving. I might offer help with the expectation of a positive outcome, or with the underlying assumption that the recipient is somehow "less" for needing it.

Open Hearts: When I can receive with an open heart, I'm more likely to give with compassion and authenticity. This means being able to accept help without feeling shame or vulnerability, and offering support without expecting something in return.

Authentic Connection: The ability to both give and receive with an open heart is essential for building genuine connections and relationships. When I'm able to connect in this way, I can truly support each other and build strong, lasting bonds.

Fear is not my greatest challenge - it is the ability to give and receive love. I often sabotage relationships, judge, or look for ways to hide. Learning to receive, to be vulnerable, and to ask for help is an important part of my growth. It is the way God speaks to me through others. It is a way I can see my own light being reflected back. I secretly want validation, and yet when I receive it I often push it away.

My inability to receive is an indication of my own lack of worthiness. It is hard to accept when I don't see it myself. I don't feel I deserve the love and accolades.

Then I'm reminded - I don’t need to strive to be a blessing - I already am one, when I live from overflow.

“The Holy Spirit uses His Bible as a toolbox. It’s the instrument He uses to change, shape, and mold us into the image of our Lord.”

When I choose to tend my inner life - to let God gently and constantly fill my watering can with His living water - I'm not being selfish. I'm becoming a vessel of His sacred care. I am preparing to love better. I am living in the art of receiving so I can return to the art of giving - on purpose.

“When you are quiet, the silence blows against your mind and etches away everything that is soft and unimportant. What is left is what is real: pure awareness and the very hardest questions.” ~ Kathleen Dean Moore, Earth’s Wild Music

I’m learning to love the silence. The pause. I’m learning to find the quiet place where my soul expands - my quiet place to land.

And so I rest. I trust. Through the Spirit in nature, God teaches me the rhythm of quiet wisdom, the strength of hidden flourishing, and the sacred refuge I find in His presence: to let go, to be held, to root deep, to bloom gently into whatever comes next.

A Prayer for the Watering Can Soul

Lord,

You know how I hesitate to ask.

You know how I keep trying to pour, even when I’m bone dry.

Teach me to receive.

Teach me to rest in Your goodness,

to stop performing for love that’s already mine.

Fill me with Your living water,

and let it spill gently into every part of my life.

I want to live from overflow -

not out of striving, but out of sacred fullness.

Help me return to You, again and again.

You are my Spigot.

You are my Source.

Thank You for the watering.

Amen.

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