As I read Emily P. Freeman’s newest offering, A Million Little Ways, I was amazed that such a young woman (under a century old) could have such a wise soul.  I’ll wager that Ms. Emily was surprised herself as God poured His light through her words like water flowing to the ocean. That is what our Father does through us.

Many restrict Art in their lives due to the fear that form will not match the Inspiration.

However, when the glass becomes more important than what fills it, that is takes the roller out of coaster—no stomach-stealing thrills, no brave hands untethered, no desire for another ride right now. Who would want to ride a coaster without the roller!

Inspiration is Pure Light; form, the rainbow prism shinings. Artistry comes in all kinds of packages. We just need to look for it and allow Art to beam through our pane, inspiring us first, then inspiring and encouraging others.

Although I recognize some of my gifts, organization is not one. However, this week I was hit with a double whammy—two out-of-state visitors arriving, my guest bedroom and library looking like a “dirty clothes/scraps of paper/last year’s unused Christmas cards newly promoted” bomb exploded, filling each room knee-deep in—Aw, you get the picture.

However, two gifted friends came to my door, a rescue party of two. Suzanne and Donna arrived and created the most beautiful art amidst disaster zones. To my astonishment, they even were laughing, having the best time visiting while establishing order and peace in my home, one shovelful at a time.

Order from chaos–socks in drawers, books in library, office supplies on shelves where others of their kind had already been placed during a previous rescue party.

“How beautiful the hands that serve/The wine and the bread” to RoseAnne in her home”– (Paris, Twila. “How Beautiful,” elyrics.net)

A Rescue Party of Two—the beautiful, artful hands of Christ to me.

I witnessed another example of two amazing people allowing God to show His living/breathing art through their lives as believers, as a couple, and as the parents of SIX children.

Bearing no offspring of my own, I didn’t know what to expect from a supper table ringed with kids from 14 to two. I first noticed the artful way their mother, Sandy, handled the flow of bodies through her kitchen with the ease of an air traffic controller; all the while kindly and attentively asking questions about my life, while finishing supper prep for nine.

“We are having Mexican, since I knew you liked it,” Sandy softly said with a little shoulder shrug shyness. I marveled at this homeschooling mother’s ability to order her moments as I eyed the freshly baked cake and beautifully browned enchiladas on the stove, accompanied by beans and rice, corn and salad—along with children who were clothed, asking questions about my travels, filling cups, helping with the smallest diners.

After a sweet blessing from the littlest one and added on to by Luke, the dad, Sandy began to serve plates. I noticed the children’s waiting to eat. Luke explained, “We decided to have everyone wait to eat until Sandy has served all and has her food, too. If we didn’t, Sandy wouldn’t even eat a bite before being asked for seconds.”

Hungry kids waiting to eat? No whining about being starved, wanting Mom to just hurry up?!

The beauty of respecting their mom and wife by delaying their own satisfaction was dazzling.

Later, after clearing supper from the table and Sandy’s making fresh whipped cream for dessert topping, we all dug into delicious, white peaked pumpkin cake.  Luke and Sandy talked to me about their deepest desires to love and serve Jesus well in how they raise their children, in how they live every moment. Even in the most beautiful cathedral with pooled stained glass light beams, I could not have been more inspired by the Body of Christ than that night with this family of eight who struggle every day for the means to support them all but are intentional in joy and godliness–in the midst a family of eight.

It is so clear Sandy and Luke want to find beauty, allow beauty, invite beauty even to the most meager of moments to see Jesus themselves, to show Jesus to their six children, to be Jesus to me–and now to you, Friend.

Beautiful Rescue Party of two.

Beautiful enchiladas.

Beautiful marriage.

Beautiful kids.

Simply beautiful.

RoseAnneColeman :: Let’s be Facebook friends!

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Living Your Art

1.  Sonya La McCllough ~ Sonya Mac Designs

2.  Sara Fowler ~ Castles in the Air

3.  Richella Parham ~ Imparting Grace

4. Amanda ~ The Scarlet Paisley

5.  Barbara Fanta ~ On Instagram

6.  Lizzie Branch ~ Kairos Coaching

1.  Katherine Carrera ~ Declare Designs

2.   Ashley Mafima ~ on Twitter

3.  Ginny Futvoye ~ via email

4.  Susan Crouch ~ via email

5.  Emily ~ rose and mint

6.  Katie Cannon ~ A Southern Lady Designs

7.  Madeline ~ The Little Decorator

8.  Deanna ~ The Pure Sacrifice

9.  Peggy Schafer ~ via email

Thank you for continuing to upload your images to Twitter or Instagram and tagging them with #inbooks and #AMillionLittleWays (or #AMLW if you don’t have room).  It feels like unearthing buried treasure when I find them!  I’ve been trying not to share any one person’s art twice, but a few of you are uploading so many WONDERFUL images, I think next week we might see a few pictures from artists I’ve already shared.  Everyone get creative!  RoseAnne’s fantastic guest post shows you another glimpse of how broad the definition of artist can be :).

~ Robin for the Bloom Team

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