I Love Love!

[caption id="attachment_2158" align="alignleft" width="300"] Mixed Media[/caption]

I am so excited to share this piece with you. When I was creating it, I wasn't exactly sure what it would look like, but I knew exactly what I wanted it to make me feel. This piece wasn't a commission but a gift. I love that because I had complete freedom to create without the confines of someone else's imagination. I could paint and glue and design with all my heart.

I have the sweet privilege of leading a bible study on Tuesday afternoons, and I told a story yesterday that illustrates my feelings so well. In fourth grade, I found it very difficult to conform to the very strict rules and regulations of my classroom. I felt immense pressure to fit the mold of the "model student." Then one random day, the teacher left us alone in the room, but not without giving us an assignment and explicit instructions on behavior while she was gone. I truly don't know what came over me, but the minute she cleared the door, I escaped from my desk and ran wildly through the room, laughing uncontrollably and dumping desks causing books and pencils and papers to scatter everywhere. Can you even believe I did that? I will tell you that I did pay the consequences for my actions, as I should have. But my point is this, we desperately try to conform to the image of this world and constantly seek approval of those around us. I don't know if you've figured it out yet, but needing the acceptance and approval of others is exhausting and leaves you wanting, and then you find yourself doing something ridiculous like dumping desks. I challenged myself and the ladies in my group to step outside "the box." Dare to be different. Rather than loving God with part of your heart on sundays, wednesday nights, and tuesday bible study, love Him with all your heart all the time. Be wild! Love Him with complete abandonment, AND (sometimes very difficult for women) allow Him to fully love you back. He IS love. The God that created the universe wants to lavish you with His love. We LOVE love. We do! So let Him satisfy your soul. Only God can do that!  "Oh Lord, Thy lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, Thy compassions never fail. They are new every morning, Great  is Thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

I'm so glad you stopped by. Love love love Ruthie