light dances across hardwood floors…

There is an art gallery and studio that I pass everyday going into work. It sits just behind the downtown square in a little converted house. Through the large white graphed windows you can see easels adorned with beautiful art work of all sizes and mediums. Sunlight streams in and dances across the dark wood floors then catches the brilliant colors of supplies and pallets on tables. Sometimes, if you drive by with the windows rolled down, you can grab a whiff of fresh paints on canvas. It’s beautiful.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to visit that little studio. Honestly I think what stopped me was thinking if I went in I might nevercome out. Something was in the air today though… I just couldn’t help myself from pulling in the little driveway and walking up to that cute little porch.

I was right.

Dominique was the name of the artist who greeted me at the door. She had just finished a class and her smock was covered with fresh paint drippings. He smile was welcoming and her voice soft and sweet with a French accent. Dominique showed me around her sweet little studio and told me about what classes where offered. It was everything I wanted it to be (exactly what I was scared of). We chatted for just a few minutes and then I had to will myself out the door and back to my car.

As I drove off I couldn’t stop thinking about how much I loved being in that little house. Even now, if I close my eyes, I can still see each little room with its unique works of art and warn tables filled with supplies…Dominique looking so happy and peaceful, brimming with creativity. I can only imagine what it must feel like to create all day…to gather inspiration… to collaborate with other artists (deep breath). To work in an environment that is constantly in motion, fresh, and thought provoking…full of color, texture, life…

Can I just have that please? Everyday? A little studio and gallery where artist come to paint, musicians come to make music, and people come to worship Jesus. That’s all I want.

That’s all.

Make room and love…

I’ve never been good at New Year’s resolutions. Honestly, I don’t really believe in making them because I don’t like thinking that far ahead. I would rather be surprised by the Lord than try and make plans only to see them fall apart because they were not what He wanted for me.

I live one day at a time, one decision at a time, and make plans when necessary knowing that nothing is for certain (I can see some of you cringing at that statement already, haha!). Of course I have dreams and things that I would like to see, do and become, but all of them are subject to what the Fathers desires are for me. I don’t want to live my life as a schedule or with this notion of “well, that’s what comes next”. I want there to be room for movement, surprise, the unknown, beauty…silence… I want to live everyday to it’s fullest and love people like Christ loved. Thats what I look forward too.

All that being said the last couple of weeks I feel the Lord has placed some new and exciting desires on my heart. I’ve been having visions and dreams about painting. The visions come at random points and they always include me actually painting in a location where worship is being played. Painting is not something that is new to me but it’s most certainly something I haven’t done in years. I’ve always loved it though. Really just the thought of doing it again makes me happy. So yeah, we’ll see what God has in store for me in the coming weeks and months I guess!

In the mean time, try taking time out today to let God surprise you. Don’t worry about the next few hours or tomorrow. Just make room and love.