Jewels Of God

As creatives, I think it is important to remember that because we are made in the image of God, His creative nature resides in us! I will probably use one of my favorite quotes often on my blog. Because God used the quote to ignite my heart to no longer create in hidden ways but to use the voice God gave me to proclaim God's love and truth to many! "Create, create, CREATE! Rearrange the molecules of this already astounding universe. CREATE, I say! An eye will widen because of it!" (Chris Rice)

God invites us to use our creative gifts to rearrange our universe! In my life I want to arrange and rearrange things until they declare God's love to others! When you read from my blog, it is my hope that your eyes widen when I share the ways my own eyes have widened with delight as I come to understand God's love for me whenever I create!

Last week, I was excited as my mind whirled with ideas as to what art lessons I could do through an all girls art day. What would they like most? My thoughts become most focused on what the girls might enjoy most. I also wanted to remind them of their great value and worth! I decided to make one lesson more of a craft by using the large amount of jewels in my art room. I wanted it to point them back to the God's deep love for them and give a visual on the fact they are wonderfully made!

I gathered the jewels and placed them on a table. I searched for ideas on how to arrange the supplies in a way that would "rearrange" how they felt about themselves and give them freedom to arrange the jewels in a way they loved. As I stared at the table, I felt the visual teaching needed something more to declare what I wanted the lesson to be about. I pulled out an antique tablecloth that has a sort of elegance and princess like quality to it. I think in metaphors. And my photos are like prayers and proclamations. If I could I would have parties weekly for any of God's treasures that wanted to come. I can't, so I share with you so it might ignite a desire or idea in your heart of how you might do something similar.

Within every soul there are treasures and unique beauty.

I gathered the jewels and placed them on the table. I searched for ideas on how to arrange the supplies in a way that would "rearrange" how they felt about themselves and give them freedom to arrange the jewels in a way they loved. I felt the visual teaching needed something more to declare what I wanted the lesson to be about. I rushed upstairs and pulled out an antique tablecloth that has a sort of elegance and princess like quality to it. I think in metaphors. And my photos are like prayers and proclamations. If I could I would have parties weekly for any of God's treasures that wanted to come. I can't, so I share with you so it might ignite a desire or idea in your heart of how you might do something similar.

The idea of placing the containers of jewels around a candle as a symbol of how we were created to encircle the throne of God and worship Him while surrendering to Him all that He has given us... to give Him our lives and souls.

Then the thought came to me to hide all of the jewels. I wanted to create a visual of how God hides some of His gifts, because He wants us to pursue Him and seek Him to discover His deep heart of love for us. He wants to give us gifts to communicate His love to us. He also wants relationship with us. I asked my lil' guy to help me hide the bags of jewels. I want to teach him that God likes us to join and help Him in bringing truth to others!

I wanted the girls to feel like princesses. So, I pulled out my sterling tea set, crystal glasses, china and sterling silverware.

I put one set of jewels in this bag. Included were supplies for making necklaces or bracelets.

These are the sweet treasures I had the honor of loving on and teaching.

I want to move from a sort of documenting-the-day style of writing to speaking to you as if your children, or you, were there that day.

"Come on in and find a spot to sit. Each one of these plates are unique and beautiful, like each of you. You are God's princesses so I have pulled out my sterling silver and crystal glasses. And today I want to represent God's heart to you. Everything I have is yours to use and enjoy. You only have to ask! The cake represents God's sweet love for you and that you are "berry" special to Him (cheesy I know but kids love that kind of thing).

Before we start I want to share with you from the Bible. In Matthew 7:7 it says, ""Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." And remember I want to represent God's love and heart towards you.

I have this bag in my hands. Do you have any idea of what might be in it? (Spoiler alert... the girls new me well enough and know my heart! One immediately said "Jewels!" Rats! I really wanted to have them guessing for a while) Wow! You know me well! Because you've spent time with me and know my heart and how I think. That's the same with God. When you seek to know Him and spend time letting Him communicate to you through the Bible, you will come to understand His love and affection for you. Also, look throughout creation to discover His lovenotes for you!

This bag is simple. On the outside it seems uninteresting and what is inside of it cannot immediately be seen. I want you to remember that sometimes you may feel uninteresting or lacking the sort of beauty you long to have. But inside of you there are great treasures! You may feel like people that you want to like you pass you by. But learn to trust God's heart for you! He has placed treasures inside of you. Remember that about others as well. On the outside they may not seem that interesting or even boring, but inside of you... well inside there are great treasures and beauty.

You now know there are jewels inside of this plain bag. Who wants to peek inside! Go ahead and pull out what is inside. Oh, you think we are going to make a crystal snowflake? Well, again you know me well. If you want to make jeweled snowflakes, everything I have is yours, and I can give you what you need to make a snowflake. You just have to ask. But, I have a different plan today. What else do you think I have in mind. Yes, that looks like a jewelry clasp. So what do you think? You figured it out! We are going to make jewelry. You get to choose whether it's a necklace or bracelet.

I have another question for you. If we put all these supplies back in the bag and shake the bag, how long until it becomes a necklace or bracelet? Correct! It will never come together and create a necklace or a bracelet without someone intentionally and thoughtfully putting it together! In the same way you didn't just "happen"! And your life is not an accident. God, the Master Artist, created you in a very special way! God was intentional in how He made you and what He put inside of you. As you create today, let it be a lesson that everything is created by someone. And God has a wonderful vision for your life."

I absolutely loved how each girl made their own creative expression unique! The snowflake was not symmetrical which made it so charming. They simply placed their favorite jewels and pearls (I pulled out my best supplies to represent all that God has he wants to give to them). They asked for more pearls and I gave them all my containers full of real pearls to choose from. "Ask and it will be given to you!"

I also told them that if someone asked for some of their jewels, that it was my heart that they share what they have. It was important to me that they remember all that I have is theirs. Again, that was to be symbolic of God's heart which is that we share all that we have! All they would have to do is ask for more jewels. I would give from the abundance that I have!

I hope this ministers to your heart! For those of you who do this same activity with the kiddos in your life, or a spin off of it, please share your photos on my You Are Created To Create FB page or You Are Created To Create Instagram page.

And remember you are a masterpiece, a priceless work of art! "Create, create, CREATE!... An eye will widen because of it!"