Awe, Perfect!Written by Joyce C. Lock
Every so often, I enjoy browsing through Christian Book Stores just to read their wall hangings. It draws me to worship. Yet, no matter how beautiful, either color or wood tone doesn't coordinate with my home furnishings. Thus, coming home empty handed is norm. Through course of conversation, a friend gave me idea to frame my poetry. What a Godsend! There is a way to decorate my house as a testimony for God after all! For next few months, every piece of paper caught my attention - from cards with framed messages (making beautiful borders) to designed stationery (for backgrounds) to picture posters (creating otherwise more expensive large wall hangings). Each and every creation is one of a kind. There's even a grouping of family photos, with one frame out in front that says, "Our God Reigns". My house is growing to be a visible expression of my heart. Isn't God wonderful!?! However, there was just one snag (an object lesson, if you will). In purchasing a picture of a temple garden with doves; no verse, poem, or saying had been included. It needed something more to mark its' religious significance. Not having before realized; doves are no longer easy to find in stores. My husband helped search until we found enough pieces to complete a wall, shelf, and table grouping. A poem was to set in midst, to tie this grouping together. More than a half dozen changes in framed poem occurred before I was satisfied with its' wording. Then, materials used in frame changed more times than I can count. It was a chore ever coming to place that poem, fonts, paper, ink, color, background, and frame all worked together like it should. Eventually, right combination came together that left that feeling of 'awe, perfect'. Concluding that this framed creation was never going to get any better than that, I vowed to never touch it again. Finally!!! I was glad that was over!
| | A Motivating FactorWritten by Joyce C. Lock
Growing up in an environment where non-church attendance isn't an option, much of one's beliefs may be based upon other's faith (wherein one either leans upon faith of another or was not considered mature enough to make those choices). Their daily schedule is generally more structured, also. Young adults are familiar with struggles of being finally 'on their own', free to sleep whenever they feel like it (as long as they make it to work). Suddenly, choices and consequences become theirs. They begin deciding what they believe, life style they will choose, importance of regular church attendance, and many more things. Likely, before they get it all figured out, children come along. Whether late night socials or babies stealing one's sleep, they can often relate to 'pitch it out window' Sunday morning alarm clock … finding that, though they desire to do good, evil is present. Still believing in God, they're left feeling guilty whenever they fail to measure up or miss a church service.
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