Sunday, January 10, 2021

Be Still

 

I think I mentioned this last year, but January is my favorite month of the year. Not only is it a fresh start and a new beginning, but it's also a quiet month after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. I enjoy the time to reflect on the past year, and set new goals for the one coming. If there's one thing that 2020 taught me it's that God can use the quiet moments of our lives to change us if we'll just take the time to follow Ps. 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God;" 

The temptation for many is to always be busy, running here and there, getting together with friends, shopping, participating in activities, keeping both mind and body continually occupied.  Personally, that isn't me. I'm an introvert that likes to be home and enjoys alone time, but that doesn't mean it's easy for me to "be still" before God. There are other snares for people like me.....like spending too much time on-line, filling the minutes with music, movies, or pleasure reading, or perhaps letting my hobby take over my life. 

I've found that getting quiet before the Lord takes deliberate determination. Often an honest look inside our hearts can be uncomfortable as God convicts us of our selfish behavior, our bad attitudes, our laziness, our pride, our unforgiving spirit, our stubbornness, our greed, our know-it-all point of view, our impatience with others, our gossiping tongue, our discontentment, the grudge we're holding, the time we waste, and the money we squander. 

Sincere contemplation, though painful, can also be healing. For it's only in recognizing our need, and confessing it to God, that we can find forgiveness and be changed. Then those moments of stillness can be filled with worship and praise. So, my one an only goal for 2021 is to be more intentional at quieting myself before the Lord and learning to "Be Still."

 I've decided to create a paper bag book to share some of those quiet moments with you this year. To create your own, simply layer several brown (or white) lunch sacks taking care to alternate the open ends (as shown above). Punch a couple holes in the center, run a ribbon through, and decorate in your desired style!  

My first insert contains the text of this post.

 These Supplies from Stamp Simply Ribbon Store


 Other Supplies:

  • Canson Mix Media Paper
  • Labels Dies (Sizzix - Tim Holtz) 
  • Tab #1 Die (Sizzix)
  • Lacy Borders (Lawn Fawn)
  • Watercolor Stencil (Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz)
  • Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink
  • These colors of Distress Ink (Ranger):
    • Dusty Concord, Worn Lipstick, Mustard Seed, Shabby Shutters, Rustic Wilderness
  • These colors of Distress Oxide (Ranger):
    • Picked Raspberry, Seedless Preserves 

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2 comments:

Conniecrafter said...

Great idea for the new year, I love how your flowers match the papers, just lovely! I haven't made a paper bag album in years, I have been watching videos about junk journals and I would like to start one this year.

Karen Letchworth said...

This is such a fun idea, Esther. You know how I love a good paper bag album. Always a favorite. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful creativity with us at Word Art Wednesday. I hope that plenty of people get to see this idea. It's an underestimated project...super easy, affordable, and OH SO CUTE. If more people gave it a try, they'd LOVE it. even with just one bag, it's always cute. Thanks again for sharing your talents with us at WAW.
Blessings,
Karen