Well, it’s been a while since I’ve updated here. My husband and I (both teachers) are working from home and taking care of our kindergartner while schools are closed here in Alabama. It’s been over a month since I’ve seen my students in person, which makes me sad. And it’s been even longer since I’ve seen my parents, which makes me even sadder. But there is praise in the sorrow! My mother, who had been re-diagnosed with cancer last fall has been declared cancer free again. Praise God for his mercy! My immediate family is healthy, as well, and we are filling our time with nerf gun wars, board games, fantasy movies (LOTR, Hobbit, Harry Potter, Narnia – ALL the good stuff), neighborhood walks, scooter sessions, backyard play, good books, and snacks upon snacks upon snacks (mostly our son… and okay, me, too).
I personally find myself drawn outdoors for a significant amount of time each spring as I invest time into our garden and soak up the sunshine I so greatly miss during the winter months. Lately, though, I’ve been gathering leaves, blooms, petals, twigs, branches, and all other sorts of natural decoration from around our house, and I’ve been putting them to use on paper. Flower art has always fascinated me. I love the textures and imagination that comes with each image. So, since I have absolutely zero Inclination or talent for drawing or painting, I’ve been trying my hand at this medium. And I LOVE it! Here are just a few of the pieces I’ve done over the past few weeks.
There are many, many far more talented artists out there than me, but I am having a sweet time creating these visuals. They’re also helping stimulate some creative writing juices as well. I hope you find some form of pleasure looking at these, and I encourage you to go outside, gather your own materials, and create whatever inspires you!
The last thing I’ll add is this. While working on these images, I can’t help but mull over our current pandemic. If I’m not careful, I can be prone to bouts of anxiety about… well, everything. This particular hobby gives me a chance to work and even pray in a way that is restorative. And the main scripture that frequently comes to mind as we wade through uncertainties (whether for work, health, family, income, friends, etc,) is this one from Matthew 6.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory oowas not arrayed like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:25-33
I know not everyone who reads this post is a believer in Christ, and that’s okay. You are all welcome here with me. But I do hope you find comfort in those verses as I do, because we – as inspirational author/speaker Liz Huntley says – are more than birds.
Peace be with you, friends.
Laura W Carter 