Life is all about finding the wonder. Looking for those things which cause you to say, “Wow, I’ve never seen that before.” Well besides the wonders God shows me in my daily, and the joy of watching my children grow and learn, I get a lot of my daily wonder from the pieces of art I create. I know I have a lot to learn as an artist but I also know the pieces I create each day are a wonder to me. I still can’t believe my drawings bring positive comments my way and delight to those who view them.
While on Christmas break from my job I have found myself doing something I haven’t done in a long time-reading. I have made my way through two books of fiction and several non fiction art books. One of my goals for next year is to spend more time reading books on drawing illustrations. The reason, many of my friends tell me they like a lot of my more simplistic illustrations. Let me know what you think.
Well I guess winter has finally come to Pennsylvania. The temperatures have dropped and the wind chills make me say, “baby it’s cold outside.” Sooner no maybe later the outside decorations will have to come down but for now I think I’m going to stay in and draw. Sounds like a good plan to me. Well from my family to your have a good end of 2017 and a happy beginning to 2018. Yes I know I still have two more drawing for the end of the year but I just wanted to get in an early greeting.
It is hard to believe another Christmas season has come an gone. Now we turn our attention to the coming New year. Now is a time to rest and reflect on all the things God has done for us the year before. Sure there may have been some sad times, some times we’d love to forget all about but there has also been many good times. The time which bring great joy to the heart and a smile to our faces. Still it is always wise to remember that in good or bad times God is always there right alongside you helping guide you through the tough times and rejoicing with you in the good times.
The Christmas season is behind us and the New Year is fast approaching. During Christmas we focus on the manger scene of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus but there is one question I still have, “Did Mary remember what the angel told her about her new born son?” That one day He would be the Savior of the world.” Some years Mary and some of Jesus’ brothers come to speak to him and try to convince him to come home with them. It seems Mary has forgotten to that fateful night when the angel visited her and told her about Jesus. The answer to me is no but like the disciples she just didn’t grasp what was going on until after the resurrection of Jesus. It is easy for us to see what is going on some 2000 years later but for us it would have been different if we would have been walking with Jesus.
Well it is Christmas day and all the gifts have been unwrapped, The kids are now busily playing with their gifts…no wait they aren’t playing with their gifts they’re playing with the boxes and bows…oh my. All that money spent on gifts and the kids find the box flaps more interesting than the $60..00 toy. Now may be the time to reevaluate what you get for your kids next year. Maybe some boxes lovingly wrapped? I don’t know but there is plenty of time to think about it next year.
One of the things at Christmas that can be such a pain is traveling to and fro in order to get home for the holiday. Millions of Americans will hit the roads and the airways in order to reach their destination. The Bible says in Proverbs 19:2 ESV, “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.” While being in the presence of family and friends at this time of year is better than any present it is better to be safe in while seeking to get there. Be safe this holiday season.
One of the things that’s such a pain to me at Christmastime is shopping at all the stores. I love working in retail because I love the interaction with all the customers. When I worked retail the only time of year I dreaded was the Christmas shopping season. Not because of the hustle and bustle but because of the attitude of many of the shoppers. Tis the season to be jolly and happy but as Christmas Day approaches the attitudes of many shoppers turns dour. There is something about shopping for too much on a Christmas list that brings out the worst in people. My question when is too much enough? If shopping, wrapping and driving is taking the joy out of the season then scale back and take teh time to enjoy those around.
Did you ever notice that the wrapping paper seems to always run out before the number of presents. I used to think that each year you had to out do the gift buying from the year before. Then I discovered one simple truth…Christmas should not be about how much is under the tree but about who is around the tree. Christmas comes from the heart not from a box or bag. Remember “The gift is to the giver…and comes back most to him (or her).” Walt Whitman
