Longing - Creating in Faith

Welcome to Creating in Faith.  I am now sharing these posts on my podcast with additional insights and you can listen to the podcast below.  There are also some great comments that were made on the original post which also adds some insight to the topic and may be able to bless you.

There are many things if we think about them carefully that we long for.  Some are to make us feel better within ourselves, some for the benefit of other people.  I have come to know and experienced the longing that stirs deep within and that feels like it cannot be remedied - found hand in hand with loss.

 

In my younger days I had many desires, I would have been convinced that some of which I could not live without, and thinking about them now see them as trivial and unimportant. My maturity makes sense of the world and understands how views, and desires change, and in my youth often with the wind.

My thoughts on longing are around the loss of a loved ones - a child, father, best friend and more recently brother.  You wonder how much your heart can take, never for one minute thinking that you will have to bear the callouses of yet another loss.  My longing is wrapped up in wanting to see them again, to say those words that never got said, to feel their presence one more time, to stop for a moment the ache, that dull ache which rests deep within.  There are momentary distractions and life feels like normal, you can breath again and sometimes laugh.  Then you remember, something missing, something you took for granted that it would always be there but you realise a hole remains.  Is it a round peg or a square, whatever shape it is it feels as if there is nothing that can fill it. 

Time they say is a healer it gets better.  I can say that I still wonder what my son Cairo who would be turning 24 this year would be accomplishing and what adventures he would have got up to.  My dad would have been in his 80's there was still so much wisdom untapped and how he would have had so much fun with his grandchildren.  Barbara spurred me on in my journey as an artist we shared much laughter and supported each other, and now my Brother Robert.  I think of him constantly wondering how I can use my creativity to take away the ache, knowing that he would expect me to do all the things I shared with him from my hopes and dreams.  

The longing doesn't go away I guess my you find different ways to respond, and my creativity allows me to say those things I still want to say, and when I don't know what or how I should feel I just stay still and listen.

My faith helps me to put one foot in front of the other taking one day, one thought, one step at a time.  My creativity is helping me to say those things that I need to say whether it is a painting, piece of writing, poetry or something that I have created.  They go hand in hand bridging the gap between the words unsaid, mutterings and groans from the heart, laughter and tears on the opposite sides of the same coin and the understanding that has come over time.

There will always be a longing, we can't hide or pretend.  Some days it will be easier, and others not so easy.  We learn to embrace, to share the memories, to talk about our loved ones as if they are in the next room.  We remember them the good and bad times, the tests and the triumphs and we keep taking those steps reminded of the fragility and remembering to laugh....

Do some work in your art journal and see what areas you want to focus on and express either through colour, words, song, photographs and more.

Stay blessed and be a blessing.

UBC - Day 22 - Caring Faith - Tips for Carers

Smile

Welcome to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for today, we are over half way through and I hope that some of the tips that I have shared have been helpful to you.

Faith

My faith, my belief has been the one thing that is constant in my life, it is the thing that lifts me up when I am down, and ministers to me when I cannot see a way.  Because of my faith and my spiritual walk I find the strength to do what I do today.  

When I feel that there is no hope, my faith and belief in God reminds me that  God not only loves me for who I am but he gives me strength when I have had a difficult time with mum and she doesn't want to go to bed to sleep.  He reminds me that when I was ill mum would stay up with me and tend to my needs.  When mum won't eat and I get frustrated cause of the effort it takes God reminds me to let go of the emotional ties to food that I have and when mum is ready to eat she will.

My faith helped me to see mums dementia from her perspective, to constantly ask myself how she must be feeling and to give her space and time to express what she needs and to challenge myself.  When I work to her time there is less need to get stressed about how long it takes or whether or not she wants to do something.

I learnt through faith to be patient, to love unconditionally to be humble, dementia and its affects on lives has humbled me.  It has affected all of our lives in one way or another and I don't take my life for granted and i don't take her life for granted.  Mum can still live a full of grace, peace joy and love.

My faith reminds me that I have to make the most of everything that mum can do and how she is feeling. She still feels emotions though not always able to express how she  is feeling her life is precious in Gods eyes.  As I spend time in his word I am reminded that he gives me strength each and every day.  He will never leave or forsake me.

Art Journal Page

For now, think about your spiritual walk, we do not go through this alone and God will guide you through if you let him.  He will walk by your side in the good times and carry and comfort you in the hard times.  How has your faith comforted you?

You can also click on the 'Celebrating life' image to be taken to the rest of the posts from the Journey of a Carer.

Word for the Week - Psalm 27:4

Dedicated to my wonderful, brave, encouraging, loving Brother Robert, who was also a husband, son, father, uncle, friend, supporter, who was  all the things you could ever want in a brother and then some! Who is truly in the House of the Lord, who sought him and is gazing upon his beauty......

Showing Sekani, Jorrell and Symphonie some moves!

Show your support HERE

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4

Warmth - Creating in Faith

Many of you have been praying for my brother Robert who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and last week I wrote about prayer and how powerful it is.  Your prayers have been a source of comfort, and please continue to lift up the family.  My brother breathed his last breath and passed to be with the Lord on Sunday 2nd June 2013 at 10pm.  We are taking each day at a time to come to terms with the loss and the pain.  It sometimes seems as if time has stood still and he is in another room.  Many of you can understand the shock of loosing someone close, there is nothing that can prepare you for any of it.

I take comfort in knowing that I got to tell him over and over how much I loved him, that we were all there for him, sometimes thinking I tired him out with my chatter.  We warmly remembered our youth and our days of adventures, on our bikes, scooters and riding up to Hampstead Heath.  I also talked about when he got better, watching the kids grow up, walking his daughters down the aisle, like he did for me when I got married as our dad had passed, seeing his grandchildren and more. 

Today, we pick up the pieces, looking at his life and our own, seeing how fragile it can be.  I never imagined that we would get to this day, but know for many of us it will come again.  What it continues to show me is that we can't wait for illness to strike before we let someone know that we love them, or to value the relationships that we have taken for granted thinking that we will always be around.  How many people have you promised to get in contact with but let the cares of the day get in the way and before you know it 6 months or longer have passed?  How many promises have you made to your own health, things that you will start to do in an attempt to get fitter, but have allowed lethargy to take over?

We only have one life to live this side of heaven, and we need to make sure that we do the best we can, we get a chance everyday to find new ways to be present in this life, let yours count for something today!  Have a blessed week.

Please note: for those of you who are considering sending flowers, please instead make a donation to Myeloma UK - via Robert's Just Giving page, Cancer Research UK or Macmillan Cancer Support

Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations; Thou didst establish the earth and it stands....Psalm 119:90

Wisdom and power are His.  He changes times and seasons... He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. ...Daniel 2:20-21

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant

Psalm 25:10

Creating in Faith - Faith

We have faith about things that don’t even require us to even think about and often take them for granted.  Unless you have a respiratory problem you know without a doubt that you will inhale and exhale and that all the functions of the body will take place without very much assistance from us.  Depending on where we live in the world we know that night will follow day, and the seasons, as unpredictable as they have been will follow some sort of order.....

We have faith that God is working in our lives.  We know that there is a God who never fails, who carries us in times of need, and waits on us in times of plenty.  We can think back on things that really tested our faith and when we thought we couldn’t take it any longer an answer comes, though at times it might not be the answer that we are expecting!   

There have been times in my life where my faith was tested through ill health, death of loved ones and confusion and I know that there will be many other times where I will have to stand on his word, and I look back and wonder how I got through it.  It is in these times where I have to learn to step out in faith, knowing that despite the circumstances or what is being said I will not let go, and it is that mustard seed faith that will see me through.

In what ways can you think of where your faith has been tested? Produce a journal page which speaks to you about your faith   What scriptures around faith have you found to be encouraging?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

If you would like to see how I made the book mark pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures and reflections in your art this week.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

52 Weeks of Colour - Growth

Reflection

Do not accept other people’s definition of happiness; carve out your own truth.

Quote

What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul. ...Jewish Proverb

Scripture

"God is not a man, that He should lie". Has He said, and will He not do it? Numbers 23:19.......

Creating in Faith - Faith

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

If you would like to see how I made the pockets check out the post Bookmark Pockets

Come join the group - Creating in Faith, show us how you will be incorporating the words and scriptures in your art this week. Each week I will be sharing words, reflections, scriptures and the bookmark holder.  Step out and be a blessing and you will also be blessed!

F is for Fear

When looking at my family health history I find myself considering my health own and mortality .  Both grandmas had dementia but died of unrelated conditions, My father died from a muscle wasting disease at 63, mum has dementia, there is high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer in other family members.  The older you get there are more muscles that you realise you had - because they all ache!

I understand it doesn’t necessarily mean that I will be beset with ill health, but I do wonder why after 40 years I suddently am intolerant to wheat and dairy.  We can begin to walk around in fear as we wait for something to happen to us.  Fear is such a negative emotion and instead I try and focus on the things that I can do and the impact that I can make today!

I am inspired by those who live independent to a ripe old age, check out Alice Herz Sommer   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTwnlW5lscg  She is 108 years old and has maintained all her faculties, plays the piano and has a good outlook on life.

Even with dementia I have faith that with the right support mum has a good standard of health and well being, and for myself I will make every effort to take the necessary breaks and look after my own health.  We cannot fear what we don’t know or what hasn’t happened.  Life brings so many opportunities and I guess I have the opportunity to spend quality time with mum and cherish these times.

Words so far....

A is for Alzheimer’s, B is for Behaviour, C is for Carer, D is for Dependant, E is for Enough, 

These posts are part of the A-Z Challenge taking place during the month of April.  I have been sharing about my experience as a carer to a mother with Dementia.  If you would like to know more join the Arts in Health Network and also check out my website for information on some of the work I have done with Creativity and Dementia.

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 132 - 138

Day 132

Reflection

Everything in its season

Quote

If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favourable. Seneca

Scripture

Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace.  and the God of love and peace will be with you.  11 Corinthians 13:11

Day 133

Reflection

Everyone who truely knows you believes in you, do you believe in yourself?

 Quote

Art has been defined as a neurotic who continually cures himself with his art. Lee Simonson

Scripture

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish...John 10:27-28

Day 134

Reflection

Miracles are all around

Quote

I honour health as the first Muse. ---Ralph Waldo Emerson

Scripture

The Lord redeems the soul of His servants; and none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemmed..Psalm 34:22

Day 135

Reflection

Shine a light, sometimes miracles do not look like we think they should look!

 Quote

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal....Ralph Vaull Starr

 Scripture

God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind.  Does He speak and then not act?  Does He promise and not fulfill?  Numbers 23:19

Day 136

Reflection

Expect a miracle

 Quote

Artistic growth is, more than anything else, a refining of the sense of truthfulness. The stupid believe that to be truthful is easy: only the great artist knows how difficult it is....Willa Cather

 Scripture

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you  James 4:8

Day 137

Reflection

You will soar like the eagle

Quote

Learn something new. Try something different. Convince yourself that you have no limits...Brian Tracy

Scripture

God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus..

Philippians 4:19

Day 138

Reflection

There is a time and a place

Quote

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear....Ambrose Redmoon

Scripture

...He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things...Acts 17:25

365 Days of Colour - Flower of the Day 125 - 131

Day 125 

Reflection

You light up the room, don’t hide....

Quote

To the extent a person makes, invents or thinks something that is new to him, he may be said to have performed a creative act. ... Margaret Mead

Scripture

He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power...Isaiah 40:29

Day 126

Reflection

You have the ability to step out, and soar....

Quote

There is real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment. ... Norman Vincent Peale

Scripture

The Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save; neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear... Isaiah 59:1

Day 127

Reflection

Are you spending too much of your time with naysayers

Quote

Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy....  Rabbi Abraham Heschel

Scripture

For thou dost light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness. ...Psalm 18:28

Day 128

Reflection

Living in truth....everyday

Quote

One sure-fire way to stay creative: force yourself to learn something new. ... Harvey Mackay

Scripture

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. ..1 Peter 5:7

Day 129

Reflection

How much time have you invested in your dream?

Quote

Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened, but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own pace, like a clock during a thunderstorm. ...Robert Louis Stevenson

Scripture

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. ..Psalm 32:7

Day 130

Reflection

Make a start today, it’s never too late

Quote

One looks at life as a gift, a painting of lights and darks, each defining the other, not a series of good and bad things. Giving thanks, and often, frees the spirit and makes the heart secure. ...Fay Bohlayer

Scripture

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away... Matthew 24:35

Day 131 

Reflection

Take time to breath

Quote

When we are enthusiastic we are intoxicated with passion rooted in our true selves and it

flows into all we do. ---Linda Saccoccio

Scripture

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:6-8