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Wednesday, August 1

Art Journaling: Just show up.


Hope begins in the dark,
the stubborn hope that if you just show up
and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.
You wait and watch and work:
you  don't give up.

Anne Lamott


It never fails.
So much of art applies to life.
When I was a Young Life leader (from about 18 to 32)
Young Life club night would come and I'd be dead and not wanting to go
and listing the reasons in my head why I couldn't go
and then I would just will myself to show up
and I would be blessed beyond anything I can put into words.
And not a {smile}  "Oh, I'm so blessed!"
because I have food and clothes and health...
and I don't have any catastrophes or fatal illness

but a real: God giving me eyes to see this hurting girl {his daughter}right in front of me
and she allows me the privilege of opening up her life to me. and everything really isn't okay.
and get to be a part of what God is doing to bring his precious daughter back to himself.
I get to see the God of the Universe at work.
blessed.
And I almost missed it because
I almost didn't show up.


I don't want to do art.
just show up.
I don't want to be nice to this person.
just show up.
I don't want to meet my neighbors.
just show up.
I don't want to exercise.
just show up.
I don't want to read my Bible.
just show up.
I don't want to be brave today.
just show up.
I don't want to meet new people.
just show up.
I don't want to _______.
just show up.



But that is the whole essence of life right?
I think showing up is 90% of life.
I don't want to show up.
I wanna sit on my couch and watch the bachlorette and be comfortable.
And then I miss the life (that is real life)that God has for me.





So, my art making has been on a long hiatus (about a year)
since I had Joshy last June.
And now I want to show up and make art.
Because when I do, I am blessed.



 
So that is my art plan: just show up.
and wait. in eager expectation.

Photobucket

6 comments:

  1. I needed that message! Love your artwork and your post - thanks so much.

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  2. Just show up...and watch what God will do!
    Grace and peace to you sweet, wise Erin!

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  3. just show up.
    that is most excellent art,
    words crafted together to paint
    such beautiful trueness:)
    wow...i love you
    and your art
    and your gorgeous heart!
    i so needed this today;
    glad, glad thanks,
    Jennifer

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  4. I LOVE THIS. Thank you. I'm digging out after a newborn, too (nine months ago). It takes time, and it sure is nice when the light starts poking through!

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  5. Wow and wow! Such wisdom and so motivating. You are so right, just showing up is 90% of life. How it is often so tempting not to. Thanks for sharing your heart, which was encouraging to mine! :)

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  6. Hi there to all
    Art Journaling: Just show up.
    Now that is some excellent writing, This post genuinely built my day! Perfect work you have done

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