It’s been three weeks now since that wonderful weekend retreat. What we heard, what was shared heart to heart, continues to invade my thoughts everyday. Yet for some reason I haven’t jumped right in to write about it. Maybe part of the hesitation is that others have done it so well.

Aimee wrote this great post and Missy also put it into words so beautifully.

The retreat was for “women who make, with paint and cameras and music and words, with books and babies and textiles and food and all things everyday, uncommon beauty”. We shared 24 hours together as sisters, encouraging each other, singing truth, reflecting on what it means to follow our Creator God into a creative life.

Here’s a few of my scattered notes…

We are all made in the image of the Maker, who is creative. He is the Master Artist. Just look around his beautifully Art Gallery called the World. That makes us all creative.

Creative does not necessarily mean crafty or artsy. Some create homes, families, memories, opportunities for others, ministries, disciples. We are culture-makers.

All of our life is art, God’s art. It’s how I choose to frame my life that makes it beautiful and glorifying to my Creator.

Am I stewarding well the gifts God has given me?

Is my broken-ness hindering me from using those gifts?

When I don’t embrace my gifted-ness, am I not rejecting the Giver of the gift?

Applause is never my responsibility. Applause is never about me or for me, only Him. Mine is only to take a deep breath, enjoy his gifts and applaud Him while I do what He made me to do: Make. Create.

Making art isn’t first about having something to give, but simply being willing to receive the gift. And then be willing to give the gift He gives us back to the world.

I want to actively look and see His gifts everyday, breathing in His glory, that I may make gifts for His glory.

In what areas of my life am I broken? How might that broken-ness minister to others? How might I make art out of the strands of my life as a gift to others?

We are barren and broken and God graces us with His gifts. He calls us to give back the grace he so freely gives us. Whether in thanks-giving or in thanks-living, God gifts us so that can become the gift to the world.

The Fabulous Crista, Nicole and Ann wrote an amazing song for our time together in the woods. I still find it beautifully moving.

How are you using your gifted-ness?

Words and Music: Image of God by Ann Voskamp, Crista Wells, Nicole Witt