Give Them Opportunity

I have up on my wall some of that blank paper they wrap around your breakables from Hobby Lobby. Yes, two sheets. One taped to the wall and one to the door. They are there for when my sweet grandbaby, Bekki, who is 3 visits again. She had totally covered the last one we had up and I came across two more and replaced the other one. You see in our house we let them "write on the wall". Okay, not literally on the wall but when Mandi was little some 30 odd years ago. I heard someone say they were going to write on the wall why not cover it with paper and let them go at it. Trying to encourage them to stay on the paper. We had access to reams of used computer paper back when it came in long held together sheets that went on for miles. I tore some apart and taped them on the wall. Voila, the beginning of creativity in my children. I love their creativity. They will try so many things. Sewing, drawing, painting, crocheting, whatever hits their fancy. I WAS always so afraid but they inspire me. I remember one time one of the girls was going to decorate their flags for the flag group. One of her friends was like well I will have to go to town and get stuff to do that. But my daughter didn't. We had glitter, glue, paint, etc The other girl was so surprised. But if you want your children to be creative you have to have the supplies. Even if you pick them up a little at a time. Let them paint, cook, write, draw, put glitter on anything, every thing. I love glitter, don't you? And I love creating. And giving my girls creative license is something I'm so proud I was able to do.

Taking Back

I have been hanging out at my friend's blog lately. She is so very creative. It is very inspiring. She oozes creativity. I think that if I hadn't been so full of fear I could have been more like her in my own way. I am very creative too but I let fear of other's opinions, fear of failure, fear of sinning, fear of who knows what stifle me through the years. Recently she wrote about being dammed up in an area. This struck a note with me. I have lived a life dammed up with fear and all his associates. I lived for over 20 years with low grade depression that would flair up into real heavy depression from time to time. But I have been free almost 8 or 9 years now and I think it is time to take back that that was stolen from me. I have also been dwelling in verse 7 of Isaiah 61. The NIV version and the Amplified version. I wrote this prayer/declaration from it:

"Instead of my former shame, I shall have a two-fold recompense, a double portion. Instead of dishonour, disgrace and reproach. I will rejoice in my portion, my inheritance. Therefore in my land (home, life) I will inherit, possess double what I have forfeited. And everlasting joy & peace will be mine! I receive double honour."

I especially like the part of, "what I have forfeited". I have forfeited my inheritance in these areas. My parents were creative when younger. My mom made a lot of my clothes when I was a child and clothes for my dolls. Besides being a seemstress she was a gardner and a quilter. Dad did some projects with wood and restored the insides of vintage cars. My Grandmothers both canned, sewed and quilted. They grew flowers. And Dad's side of the family had a way with stories. They told exciting stories, exagerated stories. When I read Mark Twain I felt like I was reading a family member's story. My uncles and aunts also had this kind of creative streak. So I have a great inheritance in creativity.
I am taking back my honour, my portion in this area. I'm looking to flourish and for my gifts to make room for me. Can't wait for the joy and peace that is coming to me.
I invite you to join me. What have you forfeited? What has been stolen from you by the enemy? It is never ever too late. Pray this prayer with me and take back what is gone. Let your gifts make room for you. Start enjoying what God has placed in you.

p.s. A. special thank you to Jeannie for inspiration