“Being his workmanship doesn’t mean we are all poets. It means we are all poems, individual created works of a creative God. And this poetry comes out uniquely through us as we worship, think, love, pray, rest, work, and exist.” – Emily P. Freeman, A Million Little Ways
I did something new last week.
Well, technically, I’m almost positive this was part of my childhood at some point… but I have no recollection of it, and so it feels new to me.
Give me an empty page and I’ll put words down.
Turn the radio up and I’ll sing along.
But hand me a paintbrush and I’m going to need just a minute.
I absolutely love painting, don’t get me wrong. But every time, without fail, these thoughts roll through when I pick up a paintbrush: “You’re going to mess up. You don’t know what you’re doing. This will look terrible.”
It’s the beginning, the very first brushstroke, that feels the hardest.
And for whatever reason, I was intimidated to try watercolor paints. Do you pour water into the dry paint? Do you dip your brush first? How much will the paint spread? Will it bleed through the page? Silly questions, but questions all the same.
Did I know what I was doing? Uh, no.
But I picked up the paintbrush and stared at the page, the bristles hovering over the paint for at least a full minute before I took a deep breath, dipped the brush in, and started to create.
I believe that you and I were each created to create, to use the gifts we’ve been given to bring glory to the Creator. I believe that we’re each a work of art and that by making art, we live into our identity.
To be clear, I’m much more comfortable with the written word. Absolutely no one would say I’ve been given the talent of painting with watercolors. Maybe, for you, putting pen to paper or writing a book feels entirely outside of your comfort zone. Maybe you’d rather play the violin, sculpt something out of clay, or bake six dozen cupcakes.
Whatever your art is, do it. Play it, sing it, make it, write it.
Can you imagine what the world would look like if we stopped looking left and right and just bravely did our thing, used our gifts and gave the Giver the glory?
You were created to create.
You have a story to tell, a story worth sharing.
Maybe it will never be bound and published, but that doesn’t negate the truth: you are a living, breathing, walking story… and every story matters.
Long before found its way to bookshelves and nightstands, I had a story. And although many pieces of my story are printed in black ink upon white pages, the story continues through blog posts and conversations over coffee, through painting with watercolors and singing at church on Sunday mornings.
Writing is still my favorite way of making art. But I’m practicing stepping outside of my comfort zone, trying new things, and believing that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful (thanks for that truth, Myquillyn).
I don’t know what creating looks like for you, but I really do believe it — you were created to create.
++++
sale and giveaways:
I’d be remiss to mention the giveaways below and not let you know that until midnight tomorrow (9/5), DaySpring is having a huge sale (up to 70% off). $5 journals, BOGO mugs, home decor, books, Bible journaling supplies, jewelry… all the things.
I honestly don’t know how to pick my favorites because it’s hard to believe such great quality items are this heavily marked down (I’m looking at you, birthday and Christmas gifts). Here are a few amazing deals I’ll pass along and then we’ll get to the two giveaways:
A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freemann (57% off)
Friendship Bracelet – Yellow (50% off)
Part of God’s Story Journal – BOGO
Shanna’s Favorites – Watercolor Set (66% off)
Cozy Is the New Grand – 8×10 Art Print (66% off)
Celebrate Friendship – Magnets, Set of 6 (50% off)
P.S. The watercolor set mentioned above is the one I’m using and I love it. The paint is high quality, the colors are bright, and nothing bled through to the other side of the page.
And now for the giveaways…
DaySpring is hosting their biggest giveaway ever… click over here and enter to win all 19 DaySpring and Illustrated Faith kits. The giveaway ends when the sale ends tomorrow, so don’t wait too long.
I’m giving away the brand new devotional kit from DaySpring + Illustrated Faith, Created to Create #2. It includes clear stamps, washi tape, 22 paper pieces, translucent stickers, tip-ins, and devotional/journaling cards.
One of the most popular Illustrated Faith kits — ever — was Created to Create. So they’ve brought it back and made it even better. The hope with Created to Create #2 is that you’ll discover more of who you are in Jesus as you discover that you were designed on purpose, with a purpose. If you’ve never tried Bible journaling or you aren’t sure how to start, this kit is the perfect way to begin.
Here’s how the giveaway will work:
If you share this post on Twitter or Facebook, or if you Instagram or pin any of the images, or if you’re an email subscriber… leave a comment letting me know!
Please leave one comment per item (ex: one comment saying you pinned an image, then a separate comment saying you’re a subscriber).
The winner will be randomly selected (at noon on 9/8) from all comments left on this post. I will notify the winner immediately via the email used when you leave a comment.
Affiliate links are used in this post. The Created to Create kit image is from Illustrated Faith.
Kaitlyn, I love everything about this post! I can’t live without creating on a regular basis, and I’m so grateful for this gift God has placed within each of us. I’ve been off the grid for too long with Hurricane Irma, so it’s great to be back in touch with the world and to welcome you to Fresh Market Friday! I look so forward to more posts in the future. Fresh Market Friday is all about intentional and creative living:)
Great post! I haven’t watercolor painted in years. Fear of messing up was a usual friend for me also!
Visiting from #Faith’nFriends
Julie recently posted…How God is the Best Way in Tough Times
Thank you all for reading and entering the giveaway! I used the random number generator to randomly select a winner, but can’t figure out how to upload a screenshot of the winning number into the comments. #oops
Anywho. Congratulations to Meghan – check your email inbox for a message from me!
Kaitlyn Bouchillon recently posted…You Were Created to Create {giveaway!}
Kaitlyn, I couldn’t agree with you more! This topic is something the Lord has placed on my daughter’s heart! She has stated that creativity is our birthright as children of Christ. God was creative and we are made in His image, so aren’t we all called to create? Thank you for sharing, I’m visiting you today from #DanceWithJesus Linkup
Such a great reminder! I love how I feel whenever I create something. Your post was a perfect tap on the shoulder to keep feeling lovely by staying in that creation mindset!!
Definitely pinned!
Hi Kaitlyn, I am a subscriber. Thank you for this sweet chance.
Shared on Google+
not sure if that’s one of the options, but just in case :)
Pinned (Beth Bulow)
Tweeted (@bbulow12)
Subscribed – so glad I’ve found you through the Fiercehearted group, Kaitlyn!
Hi Kaitlyn, I am an email subscriber! Also, I just finished the Called to Create YouVersion Bible plan, so I have “create” on the brain! I loved this post!
Alyson recently posted…What If I Struggle With Some of the Fruits of the Spirit?
IG’d two images from this too!
Subscribed! Thank you so much for the inspiration!!
Shared on facebook!
Love this post Kaitlyn!! It would be so amazing the wonders we could create if we didn’t worry about others thoughts (or even so much about our own self-doubt) and just gave in!
I shared on FB, because it’s that awesome :)
Thank you for this encouragement! Shared on Twitter. :)
This is great! Pinned several images. :)
Great encouragement for us to create just for the joy of it and not for a perfect end product, (which heaven knows will never be perfect anyway.) I think we enjoy creating so much because we are imitating our maker, the creator and creative of all.
I tweeted about your giveaway!
I pinned your image on Pinterest!
I’m an email subscriber!
I also follow on Pinterest… (Dzstovall)
Thanks!
I follow you via Twitter… (@amandastovall)
Thanks!
I pinned an image/shared the giveaway on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/254523816424708095/
Thanks!
I shared giveaway via Twitter…
https://twitter.com/AMANDASTOVALL/status/905861648702943232
Thanks!
Hi! I’m an email subscriber… Amandastovall(AT)me(DOT)com
Thanks!
Amanda
Love the message here, thank you for encouraging me to keep stepping out of my comfort zone.
Meghan recently posted…Why You Don’t Need to Be a Perfect Leader
I subscribed :)
Retwetted!!
https://twitter.com/NoraCantu09/status/905783173275160576 and follow you on Pinterest. Also participated in #fmfpartysnailmail Round THREE & shared a devotional so much fun!
This is a very encouraging reminder because I struggle to think of myself as creative since I’m not artistic. But I do appreciate good art!
Tweeted! (@Tell2Tiff)
I pinned this to my neat giveaways board!
But I wish your quote in the middle in that pretty box of blue, green, black, yellow was pinnable for my Faith quotes board. Play, Write, Love with abandon! I love your quote & the color blend.
Hey there, thank you! I’m not sure what you mean about wishing it was pinnable. It is – I pinned it myself!
I get your emails!
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/Laura_Thomas_/status/905664568004722688
Here is my tweet! https://twitter.com/AlyssaAvant/status/905596667705090048
Shared on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/BYtPRSLjpeH/?taken-by=buzz4mommies
I shared on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/Buzz4Mommies/posts/1779547982073022
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/moo77hb/status/905471170287472640
I’m a current email subscriber!
And I just pinned an image to my “Inspirational” board.
I’m an email subscriber and I would love an entry into your giveaway. I firmly believe that we are all created to create. :-)
New subscriber too :)
Just shared this to Facebook!
I pinned the Created to Create #2 to my Art board!
I love both art and writing! I just tweeted about it!
I pinned your post! We are always our own worst critic, that’s for sure. But each one of us is God’s masterpiece!!
I tweeted!
Email Subscriber
Thank you Kaitlyn, for the loveliness of your blog posts. They are visually soothing, and inspiring, urging me to take the time from the grind to create something lovely, too. Art is truly a bit of Heaven on earth, and I appreciate every bit of the contributions you add to the masterpiece.
Email subscriber!
Love this friend! I too believe we are created to create. I bought a bunch of stuff today as part of that DaySpring sale. I got the friendship bracelet as a birthday gift for my bestie!
Yeah – the whole painting thing has always been completely intimidating to me. Let me write! But I love your message to find your gift, your thing!
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Monday
Email subscriber!
I am an email subscriber
Shared post on Twitter
I’m an email subscriber! :-)
Subscriber
I freeze up when I try to paint as well. Much more comfortable writing r speaking. I fall prey to worrying about whether my offering will be good enough. Thankful the Lord loves it all.