Friday, January 24, 2014

Kaleidoscope (Big Words)


What is this?


It's my blooming kaleidoscope flower!

I created it today at the Refresh retreat 
hosted by my friend Sandy.
It was a mostly silent retreat, 
and I'll write more about it later on another blog.

But for now, just the story behind the picture.

It started here on the couch,
before I even picked up my colors. 
In my private devotional time
reading through Colossians.
I wrote down key words
and pondered how they applied to me.



I came in weary and grieving this morning.
Last year, my most challenging ever,
left me feeling fragmented.
It's not yet over.

Today, in my meditations on 
Scripture and my tumultuous life,
I thought of the word:

KALEIDOSCOPE

Broken pieces,
raised to the light,
jumbled and reflected,
turned and turned
and raised up again,
ever-changing 
beautiful patterns:
redemption.

Why yes, I did just write an impromptu poem.

So when we sat down at the art tables,
while the others made collages,
I knew what I would draw with markers instead.



My outlines uneven,
shading splotchy,
as my life often is also.
I started filling in around the edges.


The words came from 
my morning's journaling
chapter by chapter in Colossians in my



 I apply words of TRUTH
to the broken places of my life.




Love
Wisdom
Grace
Truth
Joy
Glory
Hope
Peace
Reverence
Gratitude
Encouragement
Growth
Devotion
Treasure
Endurance
Prayer
Singing
Service
Reality
Unity
Fullness
Strength
Sincerity


And on the stem, the words:

Rooted
Growing
Bearing Fruit

That's what I want to be and do.

At the end of the day,
one of the sweet ladies shared
what a blessing it was 
that she saw me blossom into joy
during the day
as I spent extended quiet time with God.
It happens that way,
doesn't it?

More later.

Oh, here it is now, two weeks later!
Two more posts featuring this retreat!


Virginia


5 comments:

  1. Wow ... powerful, life-giving ... it is such a joy to see what our Lord gave you as you looked to Him. He is such a life-giver and can give us strength when we are weary, hope when we are hopeless, joy when we are broken. I'm so glad you came!!! Thank you, Virginia, for being so vulnerable. This retreat is open to all who want to come. www.RefreshRetreat.org Grace & Peace to you, Virginia

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  2. Hi, I'm stopping by from the 'Wise Woman link-up.' This is beautiful. Love all the encouraging words you used for your project!

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  3. There's nothing like a good retreat to refresh, re-orient, revive! You're living proof, Virginia. I'm so glad I dropped in tonight!

    ;-}

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  4. I love the creativity that mimics His beauty in you. :) Thanks for sharing some inspiration. A friend mailed me a beautiful doodling coloring book a while back when my journey was seeming difficult to travel and encouraged me to get creative and stop thinking about anything but glorifying God. Your post is a sweet reminder of so much to be thankful about, even when the journey is hard.
    Blessings!
    Dawn

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  5. I love seeing art take shape! Thanks so much for sharing this, Virginia. I love how you wove Bible reading and art-making together. That's such a powerful way for me to connect with God and the Word. Amen and Amen!

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