God's word
Yesterday I sat down to start working on a new design for one of the Sunday Crosses. Typically, I sit down with my sketchbook and the Bible and get to work. God had a little message for me, and I thought I would share that with you. First, I’d like to tell you about how I get ready for a new design. Sometimes I wake up thinking about the next design, sometimes I have a conversation (typically it’s Brad and I in the barn talking when we should be working), or sometimes I’ve had an experience that brings me worry or stress, and I go searching for a verse to help me through it; I’ve realized that anything can trigger inspiration for a design. With all of that being said, it comes down to God’s plan and I just have to find a way to hear it.
My friend @rustiquebychristy made this leather cover for my sketch book. I read this verse every time I open it to start a new design or to practice my sketches.
When I sit down to practice my sketches or to lay out a new design, I take out my sketch book and read this verse. (That’s the beauty of having verses laid out in plain sight. You either consciously or subconsciously read the verses: every.single.time.) I bring out my bible, but I also use Bible Gateway. There are times that I like the wording in a different translation, but I always look up the whole verse.
Christy also made this leather wrap for my bible to help protect it. Here is the link to her IG account.
Then I start searching for a verse. In truth, I keep a list of verses that speak to me. Some days they are about giving my fear over to God, learning how to love my neighbor, or learning how to get over my self-doubt. I keep a list because I never know when I will need that verse again. I have a Pinterest board, post-it notes, iPhone notes, and notebooks filled with verses. Before I started yesterday, I sat down and started scrolling through social media. There are times when I just close them and shake my head. But not yesterday. God whispered to me to take a closer look. I started seeing verses….everywhere. Friends with verses on their shirts, coffee cups, Tik-Toks, bumper stickers, flags, purses, water bottles, and the list goes on and on. When we were younger, we really didn’t see God’s word everywhere. You only saw it or heard it at church. Now it is literally everywhere. At that moment, I realized that God’s soldiers are sneaky. We have quietly been spreading his word every day, all day, fighting evil with love, acceptance, and protection. I’m proud to be a soldier of God.
One of the new cross designs.
I do want to acknowledge that being a soldier of God does not make your life easier. In fact, it seems that you are under attack from the evil-doers of the world, the ones that cause confusion, hostility, and conflict. I am continuously learning and practicing how God wants us to fight his battles. I just want you all to know that I see you. I see your declarations. I see your light.
The light from our barn last night when we were going in for the night.
You are the light of the world. You cannot hide a city that is on a mountain. Men do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. They put it on a table so it gives light to all in the house. Let your light shine in front of men. Then they will see the good things you do and will honor your Father Who is in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16