I saw this image on the web and it just sang to me.
Yes my friend, you are an artist, and so am I.
Think about all the ways we can express our talents and gifts. Maybe you can throw a pot, wield a mean glue stick, bake cakes, tune up a car, write a meaningful blog post or sing along to your favorite song. It’s all artwork in the class called ‘Life’. The important thing to remember is: No one gets to judge your talent. Not even you. Maybe you singed the cake, maybe you can’t D.I.Y. at A.L.L.. But do you love to do it? Then you have been called, and you are an artist.
Max Lucado writes: When my daughter was small, she wrote a song for me. From a musical standpoint, everything was wrong with it. The lyrics didn’t rhyme. The rhythm was off. Technically the song was a failure. But for me, the song was a masterpiece. Why? Because she wrote it for me. What dad wouldn’t like that? What father wouldn’t bask in the praise of even an off-key adulation?
Too many times, we judge our efforts by the results. And not only how it turns out, but how it’s perceived by others. What we should be doing is singing and baking and writing our hearts out for Our Father. He gave us the talent, and he gave us the desire. That’s enough reason for anyone to keep going. Just like Mr. Lucado, our Father loves to bask in the praise of his children using their talents.
When I moved to Arizona, I was in a new town, had a new job and an apartment for one. I was lonely. Reading over a listing of classes in the local paper, I noticed one that sounded like fun. A pottery class. The teacher, a master potter, held the classes in her home. Hmm… Well, why not. I like to create things, and maybe I’ll meet some people.
I had a great time and I made some really terrible pottery. I still have a 6″ by 6″ tile decorated with my rendition of cactus and a big yellow sun. It’s awful. But I love it! It’s been a spoon rest in my kitchen for about thirty years. My husband dropped it a while back, but he immediately glued it back together. Now it’s an ugly, cracked and chipped spoon rest. But I still love it. And I’d take a pottery class again too.
So let’s not spend a lot of time worrying if our art is ‘good enough’. Let me just tell you, it is. Do you want to get better? Then by all means, work on it. But don’t tell God that what you have now isn’t enough. Don’t peek out from behind your heart, wondering if anyone will notice or care. Have fun. Express your God-given talent. If it doesn’t sell, look perfect or make people clap, that’s okay. We don’t care about that do we?
We’re artists, and we only care that we are creating.
Surrounded by the Spirit on Facebook
those of us who don’t consider ourselves super creative sure do appreciate these kind of affirming words! thanks, my friend! i’ll remember you and thank God the next time i feel those creative juices flow …
Hi Linda! I think your creative juices flow on a regular basis. Who has to be more spontaneous and creative than a therapist? I know I thank God for your talents, and I’m sure many others do as well.
Have a restful night my friend, and a Monday covered in your artwork!
Ceil
Dear Ceil
This is such wise words! I honestly believe that when we give our heavenly Pappa anything from a heart of love like a piece of art, He accepts it like the best Father He is and display it like we do our kids stuff on the fridge. The heart that loves Him, makes Him so happy!
Blessings XX
Mia
Hi Mia! I like the way you said that. Displaying our works for all of heaven to see! Nothing would make him happier than our good works and using our gifts for him.
Thank you for your wise words too
Ceil
There’s an old say Ceil: One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. While one person might not think something is art, it only matters to the one creating and the ONE he is creating it for.
Hi Bill! I am aware of that saying…my husband loves garage sales!
But seriously, what we do for God is not junk. It’s a work of beauty to him. So let’s create for the one who gave us the desire to do it. That’s what matters, just like you said so well.
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
I love these words, ” What we should be doing is singing and baking and writing our hearts out for Our Father. “. Oh Ceil…that is so much the way I want to live out my life. I miss the mark so many times, but it is my desire. Thank you for sharing this very meaningful post, my friend.
Hi Dianna! That’s the way I want to live too. I’m so glad you could relate to the post today. I really feel that we need to let go of our need to be perfect, and just do what brings joy. God is joy, so he’ll be right there with us.
Have a peaceful night my friend. And an art-filled Monday!
Ceil
This is beautiful. How often do we judge and tell ourselves we’re not “good enough.” We’re all good enough in the eyes of our Father and I’m sure He enjoys watching us blossom into the one we’re designed to be. I’ll continue to work on my off beat home decor and not so quite right brownies! Thank you for the encouragement!
Hi Yuko! You are so right. We ARE good enough, because what we have comes from our Father. I know I always loved the artwork my kids would bring back from school, even if an Art Museum would roll their eyes.
Our talents are uniquely our own. Don’t deny everyone those brownies! Or your decorating skills.
Thank you for visiting
Ceil
Here’s to more cacti and big yellow suns in our lives!
Hi Jackie!! So nice to see you again
Absolutely right. We all can’t be Picasso, nor should I want to be. Goofy looking cactus was an art expression of mine, and no one else’s (maybe that’s a good thing!). I enjoyed it, and I loved it!
Thank you for your encouragement today.
Blessings,
Nana too
Thank you for the encouraging words–I spend WAY too much time worrying about what others think instead of-am I enjoying this?
Blessings as you begin a new week, Friend!
Hi Lulu! That’s such a good question. “Am I enjoying this?”
I know I enjoyed the pottery class, even though I’m no potter, nor will I ever be. Let’s both throw off the burden of valuing other voices so much, and start listening to our own
Happy Monday to you!
Ceil
Well, your talent for writing great posts is certainly second to none. This is a brilliant article full of hope and encouragement. Thank you Ceil.
As for my talent … I sing so well the neighbours have broken all our windows to hear me better. They’ve even invited the police to my bathroom concerts! When I sing “Nessun Dorma” no one really dares to sleep.
God bless.
Hi Victor! Aw, thank you for your supportive comment, I really appreciate it.
Um…you might want to look at where the glass fell. Did it burst out to the grass, or is it all over your bathroom floor. Hmmm….
I had to look up “Nessun Dorma”. I watched a youtube video of Pavarotti (or was it you?) singing. Wow, you really know your opera.
And you know your sense of humor too! I always enjoy seeing your name pop up in the comments here Victor. Thank you for your visit today
Blessings,
Ceil
I like visiting here Ceil. I learn a lot from what you write.
The broken glass in the bathroom was all over the place. Quite painful. Nessun Dorma is one my favourite operas; and the late Pavarotti sang it superbly. Of course, he is not as good as me. I have a magnificient voice but no one seems to agree. Not even my family or the dog. Here, judge for yourself:
http://timeforreflections.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/reminiscing-about-false-teeth.html
God bless.
Can’t wait for my readers to meet you in August!
I’ll grab the link and skip over
Ceil, You don’t know how much I needed to hear these words today. I pray you have a blessed week ~ Anne
Hi Anne! How nice to see you today!
I’m glad this post could be a timely word for you. I hope you’ll always see the expression of your talents as a great joy to the Father. He loves to see you use them!
Blessings on your Monday
Ceil
I love and appreciate this post so much. Such great encouragement, Ceil. I know writing a blog post can take so much out of me at times and it’s because I struggle with whether or not it’s good enough. I need to appreciate the gift He has given me and have a willingness for growth with the gift too. This also makes me think of the paintings I did recently. I am not a painter but what I created on those two different nights brought me great joy so I display the pieces of work in my home as a reminder of how God has continuously encouraged my heart these months apart from my husband. Thank you for this today! Blessings. xoxo
Hi Beth! I remember the photos of your outing to paint, that looked like so much fun! How wonderful to know that God gave you these wonderful outings and expression through art to help carry you these last few months.
God is the ultimate artist, and the way he shares his talents with us is really awe-inspiring. All given according to the Spirit. Love that!
Happy Monday
Ceil
Amen! Such an encouraging post for those who create and think everything has to be perfect. I’ve forgotten many grammar rules but I write anyway and trust God will in some way use my words to encourage another.
Hi Debbie! Good for you! You should keep writing if God is calling you to do it.
I think comparing is the worst enemy of creativity, don’t you? Seems like we can look around and decide that everyone is doing it better, brighter and clearer. But there’s a place for us, because God wants to hear what we have to say. Because it’s it’s his words anyway.
Have a blessed Monday
Ceil
Oh my goodness. I tortured myself with my paintings and drawings because they didn’t look like what I had in my head, what was on the paper sketch, etc. The perfectionist in my was killing the creative side of me. I gave it up for awhile. One of my friends helped me to just “throw some paint on the canvas and see where it takes you.” Kind of like trusting God. You have to have faith in the process and not want to see the end result before you get there.
Hi Kim! Did I know you painted? Wow! I stink at that…and I mean genuinely have no talent or inclination, so I’m so glad you are using that gift again. I bet it’s wonderful.
Faith in the process…that’s a good visual for me. Dive in and watch the beauty come forward. Love that!
Have a good Monday
Ceil
Thank you for this encouragement. There are lots of creative projects I enjoy, even though the finished result doesn’t reflect my effort.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Hi Lauren! I know I enjoy your artistry on your blog. The Scripture and images are always so inspiring.
I really believe that I don’t have to be perfect…it’s the doing and the process that can be so joyful. No matter what anyone (including me) says!
Have a wonderful week too my friend,
Ceil
Ah… what a great encouragement for us all, Ceil!! I adore Max Lucado!! His books always speak to my heart and lift my faith to new heights!!
We are all artists… let us all create and rejoice through His Eyes!!
Hi Chris! I agree, we are all artists in whatever we do. God gives, and he loves to see us use our talents.
That story from Max Lucado was so touching, wasn’t it? Perfect for this post!
Thank you for visiting today
Ceil
I have always created artwork – in many different forms and have always loved doing it, but recently as life is so difficult I have felt “what’s the point?” but I have read your words and will think some more.
Hi Andrina! I’m glad these words hit home with you. In hard times it is difficult to be creative, but even trying art can be a healing thing too.
I will keep you in my prayers for strength to meet your difficulties. And that you will find an outlet that will give you joy.
Blessings!
Ceil
Beautiful. How you come up with the posts and how follow it up..just beyond me..thank you for always making me smile and stop to think. Blessings
Hi Linda! Thank you for your lovely comment! It made me day! I think it helps when I see an incredibly true image like this one on the internet. I believed it!! So I couldn’t wait to share it.
I’m so glad we are connected through our blogs. It’s been a long time, I can’t really think of when we started up…just glad we did
Blessings to you too my friend,
Ceil
Just awesome, Ceil! This line: “Don’t peek out from behind your heart…”
Self-judgment is just that. And believe me, it doesn’t come from God. The father of lies is very good at making us question, denigrate, compare, put down, dismiss our *art* – for he is not happy when we explore and use our God-given gifts and talents – even if we’re not *all that*…
It’s taken me a long time to understand that I don’t just write, but that I am a writer. Whether it’s good, bad, or ugly, if it’s done for the glory of God, it’s very good.
So let’s keep doing it – just like the cartoon – let’s just keep making art.
GOD BLESS!
Hi Sharon! You do have a way with words my friend. Love it!! You are so, so right. Self-judgement is not a holy thing. I love what St. Paul says about that. “I don’t even judge myself.” He knows who the judge is, and it’s not me.
You keep writing. Make that art! God loves to see it…and so do I!
Blessings,
Ceil
Sometimes I fall into the (dirty little) habit of comparing myself to others and how I utterly fail in my faith when I do the comparison. That’s what I see. It’s so easy for me to give others “good” advice, but it is so hard for me to follow it myself. For some reason, it’s easier to beat myself up rather than be okay with myself and just try to improve. Great advice, once again, Ceil!
Hi Patty! I wrote a blog post before about just that problem. It really is easier to think the worst for some reason. Like I was meant to fail anyway. Oh brother.
If we treated ourselves as tenderly as we do our children, imagine what art would flow out of us?
Have a peaceful night Patty. Thank you for your lovely comment.
Ceil
Ceil:
Thank you for these encouraging words. I like the way Max Lucado appreciated his daughter’s song. I wrote a poem about my grandpa when I was in grade school. My parents had me say it for him. I had a time with the words but I believe he knew I loved him.
Hi Cecelia! What a sweet memory. I am sure he loved your poem, what grandfather wouldn’t be touched by his little granddaughter? I know that if my granddaughter did that, I’d probably cry…so touching.
I’m glad your parents made you do that. I’m sure it’s a memory he had for a long time.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment in your life,
Ceil
Love this, Ceil! I’m always thinking about the negative aspects of my art pieces, whether it’s a DIY project, blog post… It never seems to be good enough. Your words here mean so much to me and that image truly “sings to me” as well :)!
Hi Candace! Thank you for your visit today!
I think it’s a great thing to consider your blog work art. It is! It’s your work of art in response to the promptings that God has given you. How delighted he is to see it
I’m so happy that the post ‘sang’ to you today. That means a lot.
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
Well Hello there dear friend!
This is such a timely post for me. I love to create new dishes and bake and scrapbook and take photos and well, you get the picture. I love to create. I don’t really care what anyone or anything thinks of me. I’m me and I’m unique. God didn’t make us all the same, all robots, making the same stuff.. Praise God for that! We have the ability to show the world what our gifts are and I am sure to use them somewhere, somehow.
We have been getting some massive rains here. It’s been flooding and raining and flooding some more. Boy, when you ask God for a soaking rain both in spiritual and natural… look out- we are getting both! It will be so nice for the fields to green up again. Break this drought we have been in for so long…. God is so Good!
I’m heading out of town for a Woman on Fire (for God) Conference. I can’t wait to see what he’s got in store for me. (All excited, can’t you tell?)
I hope you have a wonderful week, Ceil!
Blessings and Hugs,
Amy
Hi Amy! Oh my gosh, you have to tell me all about the conference! You are the second blog-friend that is going to one in the coming month. Be sure to check in or write me an email, ok?
Good for you to not care what others think! You know your creativity makes you happy, and that’s what matters. Joy is all about God!
Wow, how about that rain? I remember praying for rain for you and Roxy. I hope it will soak down deep for your pasture lands and crops!
Have a wonderful time at the Conference…come back ‘on Fire!!’
Ceil
Be who you are, what you are, right where you are at this moment! God loves us and all we do whether it is beautiful or not. Your words today remind me of many of the things that Emily Freeman said in her book “A Million Little Ways”. So glad to be visiting you via Linda!!! Blessings!
Hi Mary! Thank you for visiting here today!
I am not familiar with Emily Freeman, but the book sounds intriguing. I’ll write it down, thank you for mentioning it.
God does love what we try to do for him. The talents he gives us are so precious to him, no matter what we might think of them. It’s all beautiful to him.
Great to meet you!
Ceil
I loved this post Ceil! Yes! Yes! Yes!
I am trying not to stop myself from doing and creating. I often start something and think it’s not good enough. So it’s funny you wrote this because I recently decided I would not let those negative thoughts stop me from doing and completing activities.
God bless you my friend.
xoxo
Hi Jennifer! I’m so glad you liked it! And it’s timely for you too. I’m so glad that you are not listening to those negative thoughts. Ugh. They’ll probably always pop up here and there, but you never have to listen. That’s freedom!
God bless you too. So happy you stopped by tonight!
Ceil
A wonderful and encouraging post, Ceil
I think everyone has some special to offer to the world, we are all gifted in our own way, whether we make a good apple pie, paint a pretty picture or write words to encourage others.. (thanks for sharing yours)
Hi Margie! I agree 100% with you. We all have talents that differ, some the same, but expressed differently. We make it a wonderful world when we use them.
Thank you for using yours too!
Ceil
Ceil, What a great encouragement this post is! I love your personal experience and the story about Max Lucado’s daughter, i’m reminded of the Father’s heart for us, how He treasures us and we are second best to nothing before Him, even in all our failings and weaknesses. Excellent post! Well done and thanks for the beautiful insight!
Have a great day
Hi Shade! Thank you for your kind words! That Max Lucado story was just perfect for the post, and I’m so glad that God led me to it.
We are never second best to him…I like that thought. Thank you! We are all originals, we can’t be duplicated. That’s why it’s so important to use those gifts, like you do on your blog.
Blessings on you Tuesday,
Ceil
Ceil,
Blessings to you, today
LOVE this…God, our loving Father, is delighted when we use the gifts He gave us….it is not about putting a value judgment on it….yet I often forget this and need to be reminded that being an artist is more about creating than about a final result….besides how will one improve if one doesn’t practice
Hi Dolly! Good point about the practice Dolly. Thank you! It is important to work on a talent, very few people are born virtuosos! And it’s a joy to work on too, because it’s usually busting to get out from inside. I’m sure you feel that way when you write.
Have a great afternoon,
Ceil
Wow Ceil…great blog post. It spoke volumes to me. I’ve been thinking how often do I not try something or fail to keep trying because in my estimation or the world’s it’s not good enough.
Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom. I think a lot of your readers will draw inspiration and encouragement to pursue their creative side.
Lord bless…Susan
Hi Susan! I’m so glad you liked the post! I think I could write it because I get so blocked myself at times. Or think what I’m doing has all been done before.
I hope readers will be inspired, that would be great. Imagine how wonderful it would be if we all used our talents? So much creativity!
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
I love your quote’s “don’t peek out from behind your heart”♥ and.” I made some bad pottery and had a good time” a very encouraging post that I needed to read.
Hi Dee! Thank you for your visit today, it’s nice to see you!
Oh my, the pottery is not good at all, but I still love it, and I had a great time. It’s fun to challenge yourself, even when you know you’re not going to be winning awards, right? God wants me to enjoy what he’s given me. I sure did that time
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
Thanks so much! I truly love this post! I am not a talented artist, seamstress, baker, cook or crafter but what I make (usually for friends and family) is made with lots of love. Thanks for the reminder that we can praise God and serve others with our creativity.
Hi Deb! That’s a great thought Deb. Of course what makes the product to precious is the love that went into making it. Thank you! And at the same time, we make God so happy too.
Thank you for your great comment today
Ceil
This is wonderfully encouraging and inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing this; I needed it today.
Hi Karen! Thank you for your lovely comments! And I’m so glad you found something you could use in the post. That’s the best thing I could ever hear.
Have a peaceful night,
Ceil
What a wonderful post Ceil! It is so true that lacking self-confidence in our abilities is all too familiar for some of us, and we struggle with it to some degree. The purpose God gave us with our gifts and talents, is to make us stronger with an unshakable confidence, and to be successful in our lives, our confidence must originate from the right source! God believes in us even if we don’t believe in ourselves!
Blessings sweet sister; I hope your week is blessed!
Hugs!
Denise
Hi Denise! Good point about how confidence should spring from the giver of our gifts, not the world, and not even us. Good one! We are to have a better eye on our talents, the eye of the Lord, because his vision is true. And he loves to see us use our gifts!
Hope you have a great week too
Ceil
Amen, Ceil! It’s nice to be reading your encouraging words and thoughts again. Methinks you should post a picture of that I-bet-it’s-gorgeous-sun-and-cactus tile… Please?? Hugs, Janet
Hi Janet! How nice to see you again!
I really wondered if anyone would ask for a photo of the trivet. You were the only one! Oh yeah, it’s gorgeous alright…NOT!! But I still love it.
If I get up the guts, I might put it on the Facebook page.
Hope you are doing well, and that the writing is fun too
Ceil
Amen! If we’re doing our art for God, we’re doing it right–even if the world doesn’t think it’s perfect. It’s a love offering to our creator.
Hi Anita! I think the way you put it is great. ‘Love offering’ Giving back the best we can, with what we’ve been given, without judgement. That is a great present!
Have a great day
Ceil