Be More Creative

This is possibly the LLLL day I look forward to most- permission to be creative! I love making stuff and with such a hectic life there's not much space for it.
One of my favourite things to do (to help me relax) is colouring in. Seriously. And I'd recommend it! It doesn't require skill or concentration but it can be a form of meditation. I'm a big fan Mary Fleeson and the Lindisfarne Scriptorium and it was my intention to colour one of her meditations, but I let my daughter choose what we coloured and for me she chose a fantastic picture with grape vines and deer which form a wonderful metaphor for creation.
Colouring in, because it doesn't require much concentration, allows you to create something but your mind can be focused elsewhere; maybe reflecting, contemplating or praying. Try it...you might like it!

Isaiah 44.24
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
   who formed you in the womb:
I am the Lord, who made all things,
   who alone stretched out the heavens,
   who by myself spread out the earth;

Be Doers

I was able to do today's task- which makes me really happy! I had a look in my Christmas craft bag, and with some wooden nativity embellishments, gold paint, luggage tags and red ribbon I've made Christmas decorations. I intend to take them to work tomorrow.
At college this evening we discussed James' letter to the Hebrew church, which is an interesting little book of the bible. James is traditionally believed to be Jesus' brother and as such someone who knew him and his teachings really well.
Far superior theologians than me have argued this through the centuries but James seems to say that faith isn't enough- you need to go out and do stuff. Help people- especially the vulnerable. I'm not going to go into the theology of it all but I believe our faith in Jesus should make us want to go out and do the good stuff. If we're following His teachings and the spirit is within us we should be doers.

Be More creative

Something that has greatly suffered since I began ordination training is my creative hobbies. I love the bake, crochet & make cards but there's very little time for any of it- so to have a day when I can do something creative feels very indulgent.
I didn't have much time with working so decided to complete a colouring meditation I began in January.
If you've never seen a colouring meditation it's usually some scripture, or religious image such as a cross or dove, presented in an artistic way that you can colour in and meditate upon. The one I chose was a Celtic Christian prayer:

"I bind my mind to the mind of the Creator God that I may worship completely.
I bind my body to the will of the Saviour Christ that I may serve freely.
I bind my spirit to the Holy Spirit my helper that I may love joyfully."

My son made a Lego model (same as every day!) but my daughter had a beautiful idea. She decided to make fimo models to represent the seeds she planted on Saturday growing.

I think that it's our ability to create things that makes us made in God's image, rather than a physical likeness (how many other species make things simply for beauty or enjoyment?), and that by creating, rather than destroying, we can find a deep spirituality.

Isaiah 44.24: Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by myself spread out the earth.