Creativity...

I've been thinking a lot about creativity lately.

About inspiration, style, perfection and the beauty of imperfection.

I began a journey into watercolor painting this year.

After a few awful attempts (not awe-full...truly dreadful), I thought all was lost. Not my thing. 

But I didn't give up. 

I watched a bajillion videos on YouTube and Pinterest. They were very helpful!

One day I painted lavender - it looked just like lavender! Everyone, anyone can paint lavender. But that success gave me the gumption to keep going. 

Little by little, my painting has improved. 

Little by little, I've gained confidence.

Little by little, I've loosened my grip on perfection and embraced the irregularity of color and form.

Watercolor painting has become something I love to do. A relaxing way to start and end my day. I'll never be an arteeeest, but a few people, mostly family members, have asked for paintings...which is amazing.

Taking up something like painting (an art form I never thought I could or would do), has made me much more aware of my surroundings. 

I see differently.

Nature is even more beautiful.

God's creativity is even more evident...amazing.

This realization reminds me that God cares about every little detail. Not in a human perfectionistic kind of way, but in a loving, generous, "Here, let me remind you how much I care about every little thing." kind of way. 

That translates to my life as well. All the joys, hurts, and concerns in my life, He cares deeply about. If he cares about the color in the veins on a leaf lying on the sidewalk with 1,000 other leaves, He certainly cares about the details that we care about. 

What a loving Father!

If you haven't ventured into a creative practice of any kind, I encourage you to find something and give it a whirl. 

Creativity is not just the picking up of a paintbrush or baking a loaf of bread or planting a bonsai. A creative practice extends into how we see. How we take in the beauty around us. How we appreciate the creativity of others, and ultimately--most importantly, grows our relationship with God as we appreciate all He has created.

I believe God placed creativity in all of us. Whether it's the ability to put together an outfit, decorate a home, writing in any form, gardening, organizing, even organizing people to work together takes creativity, not to mention art in all forms and mediums. 

Here is my Christmas card this year...yes, I painted that, but don't look too closely. I'm still learning. I did not do the lettering. Thanks, Canva! :)

Have a beautiful, creative Christmas everyone!