Create
My daughters and I love to gather together to create our own special masterpieces. From paint night right in our very home, to making crafts, and even branching out to attending different classes, we enjoy creating to the fullest.
What makes it so special is that we are doing it together. It’s something we have a passion for, and we’re sharing it with each other. I get such joy in my heart when I see their smiling faces as their designs and creations take life right before their eyes!
Recently, we attended a Caligraphy class together at our local fine art’s center. The girls have always loved pens, markers, etc. They literally write on EVERYTHING! They always have! Honestly, they got that from their mother! When I saw the class advertised, I feared it was too late as they had a list of people already signed up and I was too late to the game. Much to my surprise, they had a few cancelations, and my girls and I were IN! Woo hoo! We went to the class, and although it was watercolor caligraphy, that part I missed in the class description, my girls excelled in this class! I struggled with making my letters look decent, but they were doing an excellent job all the way through the entire class.
At the end of the night, we brought our cards we designed home and showed them to my husband. He always says, “Wow … great job …” even to me, when I know I didn’t do that great. I appreciate his enthusiam, though.
This creative way of writing/painting is something my girls will take with them now in life. They have already taken out their painting kits and decorated cards and letters since the class. And my heart smiles!
Tell
Receiving less than desirable news is something no one enjoys or looks forward to, but it gets worse when you tell someone about it. Often times, you do so in an effort to receive support and encouragement in a trying time. However, what happened to me this week was that I became so frustrated and full of anxiety trying to explain the situation. The person didn’t seem to understand because, quite honestly, they can’t. It’s female related, and well, I was talking to a man!
First problem.
They pressed for details, and the more I tried to explain, the more I felt invalidated with how they were making light of the situation. Why? Because it’s not THEM going through anything. That’s why.
Second problem.
Then the fear kicked in that I was being so misunderstood. I finally told him that I could not continue the conversation and felt no need to discuss the matter with him further. What I’d like them to do is consider that one day it just might be THEM with issues below the belt, and they’d want someone supporting them, not making things more difficult in an already trying time!
Lesson learned.
People, hear me. When someone comes to you with a concern, LISTEN AND BE THERE! Comfort, support, encourage. While I understand questions are asked in an effort to gather information and get a clear understanding of what is taking place, making light of something serious makes it worse! That’s like telling a woman that is upset to just calm down. Yea, try that, men folk, and let me know how that works out for you! Chances are, you will be handed your head!
It was reaffirmed, yet again, why I keep the majority of my personal business to myself.
Be careful who you tell your business to because a lot of people are just plain nosey. Others make light of the situation, when it is NOT a laughing matter. Rarely, you will find people who truly do want to be there to love, support, and encourage you when you’re going through a hard time. Treasure those people!
Worship
Sunday is typically the day people everywhere gather in worship. We are lucky and blessed to still have the freedom to do so in our great country.
Worship means a lot of different things, depending on who you ask.
For some, it is gathering in a church building Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings, and Wednesday evenings as well. We once viewed worship in this way. For years, my family and I would gather together to sing with the congregation and then listen to the message the preacher would bring forth. We ventured out to other churches, and I’ll never forget the way it felt so programmed and rehearsed in certain churches and religions, in fact.
Many years later, after much conflict within the body of the church, we decided to take worship to a new level. While we missed some of the “cookie cutter” ways of the traditional church, we ventured out on our own to find God among the beautiful sunrise, sunsets, and miles of trails on horseback that we’d ride in between.
Worship is, indeed, a lot of things to different people. For us, we feel one with God and nature, and we feel we can worship right from the saddle as we take in all of the beauty that surrounds us.
