Week 43: Bible Art Journaling Challenge

Hello Friends,

Last week Rebekah Jones showed a wonderful technique for drawing and painting autumn leaves. The scripture focus of Week 43 was Ecclesiastes 3. "For everything there is a season..."

Rebekah so inspired me I went for a walk, praying and gathering leaves, as well as some other autumnal findings. At home, I put on some instrumental music as I worked on my page, using water colour pencils and Prisma colour pencils.

Then I got out my Sharpie pens and started by writing "To everything there is a season" and "There is a purpose" at the top of my page.

I started writing around the leaves as thoughts occurred to me. When I get thoughts like this I assume they are coming from the Lord. Since I have invited Jesus into my creative worship time, I let them flow unhindered. Jesus said, "My sheep know my voice." (John 10:27) so I am confident that I would know if something didn't sound right.

I sensed Holy Spirit was telling me to discern the time (of life) that I am in now and that it is a time of harvest. As with the beginning of any harvest season, the pickings are small at the start and can be easily overlooked by an inexperienced gardener. I used to have a couple of rhubarb plants in my backyard in Ontario, but I rarely got out early enough to catch the first gleaning. I wonder how many other blessings in my life I may have missed out on simply because I have not been alert.

The funny oblong seeds from our maple tree are called keys. I don't want to miss any of the good things God has for me and I think the key is to be thankful and alert. When the Israelites were freed from their slavery in Egypt (Exodus) they went into a time of divine provision in the wilderness. Instead of being thankful for supernatural provision, they grumbled about their lack. We have been without a vehicle since May, but the Lord has provided rides or borrowed vehicles, mostly through our neighbours, for us to get wherever we need to go. Lately I have been feeling rather angst that I can't just go out for a drive or take a trip to the craft store (45 minutes away) just for fun. But the truth is, the Lord is providing for all of our transportation needs; just maybe not all of our wants. So I keep thanking him and believing that we are only at the beginning of our harvest of the very good things he has in store for us.

What season are you in at this time in your life? There are seasons of mourning, but there are also seasons of joy. Sometimes it takes the Lord's discernment to realize when one season is over and another has begun. It is not always obvious.

If you grew up in the 60s you might remember this song by The Byrds. Did you know it is right out of Ecclesiastes 3? Enjoy!
Blessing hugs,
Teresa

Challenges:
Art Journal Journey - autumn colours
Word Art Wednesday - anything goes
Simon Says Wednesday challenge - anything goes
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - mixed media
Scrappy Hands - Autumn
That Craft Place - mixed media
Love to Create - mixed media
Dragonfly Dreams - Autumn