watercolor painting

“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.

We were created to create.

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.

We were created to create, to make, sing, dance, write, play, cook, and share our histories...

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?

Play your note. Sing your song. Write your story. Make your art. Don't look right or left, just do your thing bravely.

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 Even If Not 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.

May we play and write and love with abandon. May we continue to offer our art, whatever it may look like, believing that it has been given for a reason. And long before anyone pauses to notice, may we believe that God has given us something to share, something worth sharing, and He won't waste a thing.

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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:

Amazing (70% off) DaySpring sale!

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.

Created to Create kit from DaySpring

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.

 

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