Whether by leaving gifts in unexpected places or sharing a smile with a stranger, we can soften the harshness of our world Last year at the public library I ran across a Japanese book on how to make tiny dogs out of pipe cleaners. I was charmed. The amusing illustrations and photographs showed Dalmatian puppies … [Read more…]
Nature’s greenery becomes the focus of art lessons with my granddaughters When I learned that my granddaughters’ elementary school curriculum didn’t include art, I prayed for a way to share my passion with them. To me, art is vital to life—it touches everything, from how an Instagram photo is cropped to how a table is … [Read more…]
God evangelizes in surprising ways From the top of the castle wall I studied the wide river and its bridges, the cars whizzing along the shoreline past languid boats. Above, brushstrokes of white clouds streaked a blue sky. The air was sharply clean, the height intoxicating. Stepping back from the wall, I continued along the … [Read more…]
The virtuosity of hands After hiding out for decades on wedding gowns, embroidery is mainstream again. At the mall, lavishly embroidered tunics draw shoppers into Johnny Was. Embroidered napkins set the table at Pottery Barn and embroidered birds circle lampshades at Anthropologie. For several years now, we’ve been buying embroidered espadrilles and sweaters, jean jackets … [Read more…]
Snorkeling in the Caribbean, I see a world hidden from sight “The angels went away from them into heaven,” Luke 2:15 I hang motionless on the water’s surface, hearing only the sound of my steady breathing, in… out, in… out. Fifteen feet below, eagle rays ripple over the sandy ocean floor like birds … [Read more…]
“The ground will grow thorns and weeds for you.” Genesis 3:18 NCV In February, in a desperate attempt to pretend spring had arrived, I dug up moss and brought it indoors, tucking in a few Lenten roses that had begun to bloom. There was too much gray everywhere: gray bark, gray sky, gray squirrels. … [Read more…]
An art lesson reveals pattern-making secrets of the Christian life “Pattern yourselves after me as I imitate and follow Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1 Amplified Bible) Last fall I began teaching art lessons to some little friends. Looking for a simple theme, I decided on leaves. We’ve been doing everything imaginable with … [Read more…]
AFTER MAKING A VALENTINE DESIGN, I NEEDED A CAPTION TO BRING IT TO LIFE “And God said…” (Genesis 1:3) I go a little overboard for Valentine’s Day. It started when my daughter was a young teen, and we were looking for a way to raise money for a museum trip to Costa Rica. … [Read more…]
“The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.” (I Peter 4:7 GNT) The alarm went off at six, and I inwardly groaned. Phil didn’t move; he was sound asleep. I desperately wanted to go back to sleep. Turning off the alarm, I … [Read more…]
This is a resolution I intend to keep “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” I Chronicles 16:27 New International Version If you’ve been trapped in an ordinary day and then heard a song you love, you know what happens. If I’m flipping through a … [Read more…]