Creating in Faith - Belief

Whose report do you believe?  It can be far easier to accept a negative comment and spend time mulling over in your mind how someone could say or think that about us and we spend days going over the conversation even delving to the depths to ask ourselves what is wrong with us. 

When someone says something encouraging or complimentary do you find yourself going over this in your mind, agreeing with the positive comment about your life in the same way as the negative?  The chances are you don’t. We have all had times when somebody says something nice about what your wearing and before you say thank you start to put yourself down and say “this old thing, I’ve had it for years” you feel uncomfortable when people say good things about you and for every positive comment you can probably find 100 negative ones.    

Last year I did a course called Crafting my best life, and one of the exercises was ask 5 people (friends and family) what they loved, valued and admired about you.  I initially had difficulty with the thought of asking these questions, you know that they care for you but sometimes you get lost in the well of ‘stuff’  and can’t see the good things that others see and think about you.  I was really touched by the response and have put these reminders in a place for times when I forget my strengths and can only see my faults, for those times when all seems like it is lost and I get lost in the ‘stuff’ because I know that these times will pass for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

Despite what you feel about yourself there are others that wished they were in the same room as you, could receive a smile or kind word from you, and who are really inspired by you and your creativity and find you a blessing. 

As you go about your day to day this coming week think about 3 things you love about yourself and 3 things you admire and place these in a prominent place and look at them every day.   How can you express these in your art journal or another creative way.  Please share your thoughts   Blessingsx

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight...Proverbs 3:6

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.   John 3:16

Gratitudes - Loss

Loss

It’s a weird one to be grateful for or to see as a gift. When we suffer loss we are minded how precious our lives and our relationships are.

What are you grateful for this week?

52 Weeks of Colour - Friendships

Reflections

Some friendships do not last as lifetime 

Quote 

And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more. ...Erica Jong 

Scripture

...be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 2:1.......

Creating in Faith - Trust

What do you do when someone abuses your trust, how does it make you feel and what actions can you take to prevent it from happening again? Does forgiving mean that you allow them the space to change and back into your life? Do you constantly wonder if and when they will do it again, or do you keep them at arm’s length? How far does your trust go?

When we are young we have limited power to prevent some of the hurtful things that can happen, but as you grow up you begin to get a sense of yourself can exercise your power to decide who to allow into your space. Last year I took Melody Ross’s Soul Restoration workshop and it looks at the restoration of you, comparing your life to a house and the action of clearing out your space - deciding who to let into your home, through the front gate or even who just walks past the gate and says hello!   The post man delivers letters through your letter box he doesn’t come in the back door, put the post on the table, make himself a cup of tea while searching through the cupboards to see if you have those chocolate biscuits he likes....(well mine doesn’t).   We decide and should have control over the atmosphere and energy we surround ourselves in especially in the space that should be our sanctuary – our homes!

 How many times have you been hurt by someone you thought cared for you and you let back into your life only to have them stomp and trample over your feelings. We DO have to forgive and the bible says in Ephesians 4:32 “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”  I feel that the benefits of not having negative energy and abuse in my personal space and surrounding myself with supportive people far outweighs the value of the relationship I could have with someone who really doesn’t care about me.

We have to use discernment, the bible tells us to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord” Ephesians 5:19, but you can’t do that if your cussing and carrying on. At the end of the day you can’t have a relationship without trust, and as you go about the coming week, think of times where you knew you should and can make different choices, based on the different levels of trust needed for the situation.  Blessings...

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!