The Art of Receiving ᥫ᭡♱ [_]>
♱ᥫ᭡¤[_]> The Art of Receiving <[_]¤ᥫ᭡♱
“𝕆𝕦𝕣 𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤, 𝕘𝕚𝕗𝕥𝕤, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕟’𝕥 𝕒𝕔𝕔𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤. 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕪’𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕟𝕧𝕚𝕥𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤.”
~ 《ǝɯ》
♱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, “Creative Expansion.” There's a *lot* of Leaca inspiration here: quotes, stencils (another the paper doll), swatching, printables, ideas, & support.
This is the garden I've been tending, where my heart & studies have led me this week (study below). 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: @paintbyles Lesley Iverson's incredible digital papers and hidden paper clip inspiration; a heart inspired by @soul_positive Kristi Nazzaro's lovely watercolor; washi tape from @dinawakley (“Oh make my voice strong and my spirit alive.”) & Leaca; @deedeecatron & @umwowstudio for the big gold cross; @theuglyartclub THREADS May theme #tuacthread #uglyisstillart #theuglyartclub #tuac Lots of machine sewing on this, but I always love to use of threads & fibers!
To my son who shares his love of video games & K-pop with his old mom. He's always sharing remnants of foreign language for my art. Here's an image depicts a collectible figure known as "Chibi Perfume Maid Orianna" from the "Fight for the Golden Spatula" series by POP MART. This figure is a chibi-style representation of the character Orianna from the game League of Legends, dressed as a perfume maid. Also, there's a gum wrapper. The text on the image is in Japanese and talks about a Pokemon named Morpeko. It mentions that it is always hungry, stores seeds in a pouch, and uses them to generate electricity.
#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: Creative Expansion
“He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work… those who do every work and those who design artistic works.” - Exodus 35:35
Last week, I explored the art of receiving - tending my watering can soul so I could pour without depletion. I began to ask: now that I’m learning how to receive, what am I meant to give?
What do I have to offer?
I sat with this question in the quiet of my creative garden, still and listening for the Holy Spirit’s whisper. The answer came not as something new, but as something true: I am a child of God. I was created by the Creator… to create.
In Genesis, we’re told we are made in His image - the image of the One who spoke galaxies into being. That means creativity isn’t just a hobby or personality trait. It’s embedded in the very fabric of who we are. Our talents, gifts, and imaginations aren’t accidents. They’re invitations.
We see this clearly in the story of Bezalel and Aholiab - artisans filled with the Spirit of God, commissioned to craft beauty for the tabernacle. God poured wisdom, understanding, and skill into them for a specific, holy purpose. Not only to create, but to teach, build, and inspire.
“Every gifted artisan… shall do according to all the Lord has commanded.” (Exodus 36:1) This reminds me: creative expansion isn’t about personal fame or self-fulfillment. It’s about obedience. It’s about stewardship. It’s about living with open hands and open hearts, saying: “Here, Lord. Use what I have.”
Sometimes, that means offering our art. Sometimes, it’s our words, presence, discernment, or way of seeing the world. Whatever form it takes, it’s all part of the sanctuary God is building - in our hearts and communities.
A few truths I’m resting in as I expand my heart, soul, and mind:
“What you celebrate, you will cultivate.” (Josh Howerton) The more I honor God’s creativity in me, the more space it has to flourish.
“You can measure your worth by your dedication to your path, not by your successes or failures.” (Elizabeth Gilbert) God isn’t asking me to be famous or flawless. Just faithful.
“Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures hidden within you?” (Elizabeth Gilbert) My gifts are not accidents. They’re treasures meant to be unearthed.
Fear is real. I feel it often. Fear of rejection, fear of insignificance, fear of not being enough. But as Gilbert writes, fear can ride in the backseat - but it doesn’t get to drive. The creative life is not about being fearless, but about keeping fear in its proper place.
God isn’t asking for perfection. He’s asking for partnership. Help me see with new eyes. Marcel Proust wrote, “My destination is no longer a place, but a new way of seeing.”
And as Viktor Frankl reminds us, “Between stimulus and response there is a space… in our response lies our growth and our freedom.” That space - that stillness where I listen, receive, and respond - is where creativity breathes. It’s where expansion happens.
So I keep showing up. Keep tending the garden. Keep following the whisper. And I trust that as I create, I’m co-creating with the One who formed me.
My Prayer for Creative Expansion
Creator God, You formed galaxies from nothing and breathed life into dust; and still, You delight in filling me with spark and Spirit. Thank You for entrusting me with glimpses of Your imagination.
When I feel small, remind me that You called me not to impress, but to express what You’ve placed in me. Not to strive, but to sow.
Give me courage to create - not for applause, but as an offering. Shape my hands for holy work, whether seen or unseen.
When fear tries to drive, seat it in the back. Let Your whisper be the voice I follow.
Help me honor what You’ve placed within - the ideas, the beauty, the longing - and let it point back to You with every stroke, every word, every quiet act of faithfulness.
Thank You for inviting me into the sanctuary of co-creation. I give You the little I have - and trust You to multiply it for Your glory.
Amen.
