WHY I WRITE
What makes me want to write and share my art work on social media? A few years ago, when I started my first blog, I wasn’t sure exactly what I would do with it. I thought maybe I could use it to share news and photos of home. Maybe close friends and family would read and enjoy it.
Shortly after I started the blog I joined an online writing group hoping it would help to hone my writing skills. While there I heard talk about how we all need to share our stories. I didn’t think mine was that interesting and wasn’t sure what all they meant by story.
My story would have to include my faith in God, my love of nature, art, music and of course, my family.
WHY TELL MY STORY
Now I know that everyone does have a story, and we are all part of a bigger story. If we share with each other, we can find “kindred spirits” as Anne would say in the Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery.
We realize that we are not alone in our circumstances, because we all have good and bad things to deal with.
My story may seem ordinary to me, but somewhere in my ordinary life there is something that encourages someone else. People have commented on my blog that the words I shared were just what they needed at the time. That has happened to me, also, when I have read what others have written.
WHY SHARE MY ART
A few months after starting my blog I began art journaling using mixed media. One of my art journals is mostly collage, some of which include found poetry. I look for words and pictures that mean something to me and then arrange them on the page. Sometimes I have an idea so I look for a certain theme. Other times I simply cut and glue it down arranging as I go.
I share my art because it shows a part of who I am, what I think or what I like.
It is also a way to keep memories alive like this two page spread made of recipes and pictures of food. One of the recipes has my mom’s handwriting and one has my grandmother’s. The art journal is a way to preserve them for me.
Because I am created in God’s image I also have the ability to create using the talents He has given me. So why do I write and share my art? Not only do I want to find encouragement, but I want to encourage others and to glorify God. As shown in the scripture below I want the “streams of living water” to flow through me.
John 7:37-39
On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out,
“If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink. The one who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.”
He said this about the Spirit. Those who believed in Jesus were going to receive the Spirit, for the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Since the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us who believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have an unlimited resource. He gives us wisdom and the “living water” will flow through us to shine the Light of Truth to the world.
Today is Day 4 of Five Minute Friday 31 Days of Free Writes, and the prompt is the word why.
I’m linking up with: #TuneInThursday, #HeartEncouragement, #BVNetworkParty
Love the poem friend!
Thank you, Tara. Blessings to you! xo
Dear Gayl,
I am so glad that you have answered the “why” and given your words and your art here for us. You inspire me to pause and ask the Lord what He would share with me, and how I could create also. And you have encouraged me so often with just the right poem or Scripture or story! Thank you for opening your heart, and being such a blessing! Love & Hugs! xoxo
Dear Bettie,
I am so glad to be able to encourage you, as you also encourage and inspire me. It’s interesting how we “met” a couple of years ago during the #write31days. I believe God orchestrated that and brought us together. You have been such a blessing in my life as we’ve become closer, praying together and sharing our thoughts and our love for God. Blessings to you! xoxo
Thank you for sharing your “why” about your art and blog. I love how your story includes how others like the people in your writing group encouraged you, and how you are sharing that encouragement with others. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Thank you, Jolene, for your encouragement. I love how we bloggers can encourage each other as we share our own lives. Hope you have a great rest of the week. Blessings to you!
Thankful you share! I’m so enjoying your writing and artwork!
Tammy, thanks so much. I’m really glad you are enjoying it! Blessings to you!