“Cashiers and cellists are capable of making art because they both have the power to influence, to be fully awake to their Maker, and fully aware of his making of them.
I can’t imagine anything more dangerous to the enemy of our hearts
than people who know who they are.”
~ Emily Freeman, A Million Little Ways
A few years ago, both my husband’s parents and my father were hospitalized for many months, fighting hard battles. My heart was heavy, my ability to be rational was teetering on the edge. As I stood in the grocery store line with our three children, all of us looking disheveled but doing well to have survived the visual over-stimulation of the glass candy jars surrounding us, an older man looked at me and said, “You’re a horrible mother.”
I looked around, hoping this was a hallucination caused by the exhaustion of motherhood. He carried on, “Teaching your children to steal! You’re a horrible mother!”
Anger and hurt and bewilderment made my eyes sting. I turned around and my curious six-year-old son had his hand in the open basket overflowing with every color of taffy. I looked closer, seeing a lump in his little pocket, and reached in to find a piece. He whispered, “Mom, the worker said I can have one piece as a sample.”
The disapproving man, shaking his head, went to the register beside me. As I got to the register, baby on hip, the other two children hanging on my pockets, the cashier said, “Know what, honey? Some people are just miserable and don’t feel better until they’ve brought someone else down with them. I’m sure you’re a great mom…don’t you let him steal your smile.”
You know that feeling where you think you can hold it together? That fled quickly. The cashier made me cry, not the disgruntled old man. Why? Because she spoke truth and encouragement and love into my hurting heart.
She was living out the art God made her to be in the exact moment I needed it.
She is God’s art. She used a word of encouragement as she scanned some chicken and vegetables. She is a part of my memories and life story, because she made a choice to use her gift of uplifting speech to breathe life into my weary soul.
God gave you an art. And he gave me one, too.
Three years ago, the Lord spoke to my heart that He wanted me to use the painting gifts He gave me to reach other women for Christ. Sound exciting? It did to me, too.
Until I thought about it.
My parents gave me art lessons for ten years, but I always considered art as a love and a hobby, not something I could do professionally.
But God tenderly spoke three words to my heart: Truth Be Told. Through many months of prayer and heartbeat-fast moments, He clearly revealed that I was to teach “non-artists” who thought they didn’t know how to paint, how to paint, and get God’s Truth on it.
But how, God?
And, Lord, you do know there are far better artists and teachers out there than me, right?
I think you may want to pass over me and choose someone better qualified for this job.
Making decisions is not my strength, and you know that, Lord.
Start my own company? Now this is funny.
Lost peace. Lost sleep. Snapped at my husband, our children. Why? Because I had a clear calling on my life and I pushed it away because I felt incompetent. Fear of failure, embarrassment, rejection. Better to not try and stay comfortable than try and fail, right?
Of course not. On July 20, 2011, I invited eight friends into my home to attempt to teach them how to paint and get God’s truth on it. I posted it on Facebook. Since that day, we have added 11 artists to our team and have painted with thousands of women and children.
Truth Be Told Art is also at times a free ministry for hurting people in our communities. It’s been to Haiti and helped orphans become self-sustained.
To my credit? Not an ounce. All glory to God. It was His Idea, after all. And I tried to say “no” when God revealed to me this was my art in and through and for Him. He blessed it despite my reluctance.
God showed me that when I know who I am in Him, he can use what I consider to be “small gifts” in comparison to others, for His Purposes, far beyond me.
I learned to look up for the measure of my worth, not around.
I am God’s art when I am operating in the gifts He gave me. You are, too.
By Elizabeth Bass Hilliard, www.truthbetoldart.com
Editor’s note: I had the delight of meeting Elizabeth at a recent Fall Festival, first stopping at her booth because her artwork caught my eye. But when I learned her story, I invited her to guest post for Bloom. What she is doing through Truth Be Told Art – teaching women to paint who didn’t know they could – is a perfect example of living A Million Little Ways! ~ Robin
ART IN COMMUNITY ~ A ROUND-UP OF YOUR ARTISTRY!
1. Alissa, Ella & Ruby’s
2. Angela, Waves of Grace
3. Becky, Buckets of Burlap
4. Sara, Castles in the Air
5. Ashley on Twitter
6. perumama on Instagram
7. Sarah Jo, Sarah Jo Knits
8. Kelli, Sunflowerlayne on Instagram
1. Jennifer, Joy Filled
2. Becky, Buckets of Burlap
3. Barbara on Instagram
4. Elle at Being Stepmom
5. Robin on Instagram
6. Jenna, Our Adventure with Boys
7. Kristin, From the Stacks
8. Teresa Dunham on Facebook
If you haven’t yet, would you please take a few minutes and review Emily’s book on Amazon and/orDaySpring? This is like your Thanksgiving gift to her; she’s been such a delight to host for Bloom’s fall selection, hasn’t she?
And our Thanksgiving gift to YOU on Monday is filled with laughter and smiles. Check back then. It’ll set your week on a very merry trajectory.
Leave a Comment
Marcy says
The beautiful order of your words was absolutely Truth that my heart needed To Be Told this morning. The honesty of them matches the clear authenticity of your calling. Thanks!!!
Elizabeth Hilliard says
Thank you so much, Marcy! I am humbled to be a part of this encouraging website and ministry! I appreciate your uplifting words this morning!
Crystal Walton says
Love this! Funny how easy it is for us to assume we don’t have anything to offer. A simple love–a hobby–a gift can be the tool through which God can impact others’ lives through us. Such an encouraging word to remind us of what can happen when we say Yes to the invitation to share our hearts. Thanks for your obedience and the legacy you’re leaving. 🙂
Elizabeth Hilliard says
Thank you, Crystal! Totally agree! How we see ourselves is only accurate when we know the Truth of our God-worth….when all I can see about myself is a hot mess! 😉 Thanks for the encouragement!
Celeste says
Great story! Thank God for the cashier, right?!
Elizabeth Hilliard says
haha, amen! 🙂
karyn says
I’m filled with the creative power of the LORD as well in words and pictures, pins to be exact. I’ve always written and drawn. It’s like a thing I cannot stop myself from doing as I see … and love to put into words and pictures what I see. It’s my passion.
🙂
Elizabeth Hilliard says
That’s awesome, Karyn! Do you have a website or blog? I’m sure I’d be inspired by you! 🙂
Mae says
Elizabeth, your thoughts of Truth Be Known brought stinging tears to my eyes;
Truth Be Known, no matter where are, there is always someone who, if we let them, steel away the gifts God instilled.
That can be a friend, a foe, but never a woman after God’s own heart! I have let others steel away my joy I just didnt realize that was their way for whatever reason. Over these posts, I realized my art
is writing. I wrote & self published a fictional novel, which held many truths,
which that was the only way I could tell how feeling less than, but knowing God
He designed my thoughts, I needed to understand why there are those like that man in the store you who deliberately stole your joy, I never wanted to believe people were like that, but a sweet cashier,
or an angel God will send at the most important moment, with his word! Art is drawn every dawn, I walk now with a new confidence, when I come across a difficult
person, i sense God saying; “I’ll take cover now.” I walk away knowing in my heart I’ll continue to write my art script every day. Truth be known, that’s our way of opening windows to invite Him in, what a joy that has been, has Alwsys been isn’t that the sweetest thing! Women who love the Lord, who depend on Him, our lives become the backdrop even when not all is
shiny or bright. Thank you all for sharing your hearts that made it possible for me to share mine. I ran to Jesus to Sunday School when little, I’m still running to Him,
when joy over flows, when I’m deeply hurt, he reshapes our paint brush the art we long to share with life and we are never
the same again!!
Elizabeth Hilliard says
Mae you have a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing. Your passion for God through writing is surely a blessing! Thanks again and have a great weekend!
Nelli Kalinyuk says
So blessed by your post! Isn’t it amazing that God is patient with us and never gives up on us even when we feel unqualified. I have too allowed fear to control my life, afraid people won’t understand what I post because I am not a writer. Finally allowed Jesus to walk in front of me and lead my life. Launched my blog yesterday feels scary but so beautiful!
Elizabeth Hilliard says
Awesome, Nelli! I hope you will be greatly blessed for taking a leap of faith with your blog! Post it here so we can all enjoy and support you! 🙂
Beth Williams says
Nelli,
Congratulations on launching your blog! If God leads you to it–He will see you through it and make it prosper.
I have a suspicion that you will bless many many women with that blog! 🙂
You Go Girl! 🙂
mardi says
Elizabeth, I know you and have been to your TruthBeToldArt parties, and they are nothing short of a “God thing”!! Scripture, art, your sweet testimony, groups of women….a fabulous combo for God to touch hearts. And to think that, after you (an attendee) have painted, you have GOD”S WORD—TRUTH, hanging on your wall, and YOU did it! What an awesome quiet witness to ANYONE who comes in your home, and to you and your family, on a daily basis. I’m so thankful that you had the courage to respond to God’s call on your life, and not be like Jonah, who ran away!
God is POWERFUL in the life of ANY ONE who obeys His call and walks in the gifting from HIM!!!
I’m extra thankful for you and your heart to be mighty for Him in YOUR generation!!
Elizabeth Hilliard says
Thank you so much! 🙂 Love you very much!!!
Beth Williams says
It is truly amazing what God can do with a little willing person and the talent He gives us daily. If we would just believe and pray about everything then God can use us in surprising ways! 🙂
Proud of you for starting your own business. That has been a dream of mine for a long, long time. Perhaps someday, but for now I will do what God has asked of me and do it joyfully & with Thanksgiving! :))
Elizabeth Hilliard says
Thank you, Beth! Amen! Whatever our hand finds to do we can do it with a thankful heart and for His glory! Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving!