Our Passions and Our Beauty

Lately I have been devoting more time to my art. I sew and make clothing, jewelry, and bags. When I was in high school I stayed up all night working on my outfit for the next day. I wore some very creative outfits back then. I would get to bed around 2 am then wake up around 5 or 6 to get started on hair and make-up. I believed then as I do now that an outfit is not complete without the perfect hair and make-up. Unfortunately, as a busy stay at home mom of two with several creative projects in the air I do not have the luxury of devoting all my time to looking picture perfect. I do my best though (as I'm sure you do as well) but here is something I am learning as I allow myself the time to have fun with the gifts that God has given me.

God has made me an artist and if I do not feed and nurture that part of me then I am not wholly connected to God. When I am not wholly connected to God then I find that I am not as happy with myself. You probably already knew that but it took me a long time to make that connection. I wake up every morning to pray and study the Bible. I am active in my church and mentor young women. I get to work with Jen and other talented women through our business, Bombshell Beauties. I have the most incredible husband on the planet and my kids, when they are not driving me crazy, are actually quite awesome. With all of that I still had a hard time feeling happy with myself and all that I have accomplished. I would obsess over my skin and my body. Pouring money into creams and over thinking my diet. Looking into my over stuffed closet and feeling dissatisfied with what was there. I have spent years feeling like life is passing me by and blaming myself and the bad choices I have made in my past and then feeling distressed because time is running out and I'm only getting older. Does any of this sound familiar? If it does then read on-it actually gets better!

In September I decided to buy myself a work table. Something I have always wanted but have never invested in because my family of four lives in a shoe box. After that I enrolled myself in a silk screening class. Another thing I have always wanted to do but there were always more important things to spend the money on. Those two decisions opened something up in me. For my class I decided to print on a t-shirt and from there I decided that I wanted to make the t-shirt. Now I have decided that I want to make most of my wardrobe which will take me years with all I've got going on! I try to be patient and give a little bit of time daily. Every piece I complete fills me with so much satisfaction. I have made jewelry and bags and even a jacket with a lining. I love that jacket and wear it everyday! OK, so here's the best part-since I have started I am happier with myself. I don't stress about flawless skin and appreciate my body more. I have never felt more beautiful. I think I should say that again-I have never felt more beautiful. It never occurred to me that my own unhappiness could be the result of my not using and completely ignoring my God given gifts.

So here are some questions to think about. What gifts has God given you that you are ignoring or setting aside? Do you have passions that have been thrown out because of lack of money or space or because they don't "fit" with your current schedule or lifestyle? Are you feeling dissatisfied with your life? Have you believed the lie that you are not special and that you have nothing of value to contribute to this world?

Take some time to pray and talk to God about these things. As you enter into that conversation I just want to tell you that you are special. That God created you to do some wonderful things in this world that only you can do. I also want to remind you that you are beautiful and if you don't believe me then ask Jen, she thinks you're beautiful too!