PAPER & INK III

Hi friends! In the midst of waiting on the warmer weather- it's just starting to show up, praise God!- and the arrival of the new little boy, we're still chugging along and doing our best to make the most of the end of this long winter. Which means more painting and crafting indoors, one of our projects being this owl that Asher I joined forces on a little while back; I did the drawing, he did the water coloring. I wish there was the time to do more like this. 

Happy spring to those of you in warmer climates, and for the rest of us- we're almost there.

P.S. Don't miss the latest new daily bible reading series on She Reads Truth. It's a short, 14 day plan and it's all about the risen Christ! What a joyful breath of fresh air to be on the other side of the sobering days leading up to Easter. Now we can give ourselves fully to the celebration of the truth that our Redeemer lives! Thanks be to God for His unfailing plan of justice, grace, and salvation in the lives of those who believe.

PAPER & INK | II

A few days ago I came thisclose to painting. I know I resolved to put it on the back burner for a while, and it's probably smart to keep it there. But I came across an old blank canvas in the attic and not long after that I was digging my nice acrylics out of storage for a project with Asher. And I've seen so many beautiful, inspiring abstracts lately. It's not my style of painting and I have no clue if I could pull it off, but I'm feeling extremely tempted to try. One of these days... Until then, I'm doing my best to keep my drawing from getting too rusty. These are nothing original, just copies from one of the boy's books- The Story of Ferdinand. The best part about drawing with ink is I get one shot. I can't aim for the kind of perfection that an eraser affords, so it's a much quicker process. And these days, quick is necessary!

PAPER & INK

One winter morning about a year ago I decided I was going to paint. So I went into my barely-used art room, grabbed a canvas, some brushes, and some oils, and carried them downstairs to the dining room table. It's been a while since I've had the time to do a lot of art, but I thought I could sneak in ten minutes at a time throughout the morning in the middle of the normal happenings with the boys. Well, three hours passed and despite my best efforts, zero painting happened. And that was the morning I learned that there are just some seasons of life where you can't do it all. Or even some of it. Or even ten minutes of it. And in a flurry of frustration where all I could think was "that's it, I give up on ever trying to do anything other than be a mom again!" I packed it all up and stored it away. And- though I felt like a tantrum-throwing quitter in the moment- it turned out for the best. I haven't missed staring at those unused art supplies a single bit. And in time I realized that just because I can't do something as involved as painting doesn't mean that there isn't time for other good things. A few months later I took out some paper and a marker and sat down and copied an illustration out of one of the boy's story books. It was simple and relaxing and and there were no curious little fingers attempting to taste-test the turpentine!

One of these days there may be time to get the oils out again. But until then, I'm learning {and re-learning, it's a constant lesson of motherhood} the art of letting go of what's really not all that important at the end of the day. And in the most trying moments when I feel like being a mom has swallowed up every trace of what might make me ME, I look to Christ. The One who gave up so much more than a hobby for our sakes. The One who reminds me what real treasure is; the grace to be able to count "all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord"...and the incomparable gift of being "found in Him". {Reference Philippians 3:7-9} 

Sometimes it's easy to forget, but do you know what's more worthwhile than finding the time for my own personal pursuits? Setting my gaze on Him long enough to remember that I have the incredibly unique privilege of being a child of God, a wife to a wonderful husband, and a mother entrusted with four precious souls that are worth pouring myself out for. Every last ounce of me, if need be. Praise be to God for His patience and perseverance in teaching me what really matters, and for inviting each one of us to receive the same grace.