Written on Nov 16, 2019 (Before global locked down)

I remembered waking up to the first Monday morning, unemployed. Instead of rushing through the usual morning routines, I woke up slowly. Waking up smelling like a baby — just a girl out of bed was nice. Not needing to rush into the traffic was delightful.

Sipping coffee and having breakfast with the morning sun was beautiful. Then, rereading the word; was so refreshing! I found myself breathing better too. My vision got more definite about what’s far ahead of me. Living through His words became one part of me.

One evening, as I set down journaling, these words came together — Slow + Living + Word = #slowlivingword

God’s word was alive and living through me! Don’t you find it lovely? To know that He has thoughts; about us and for us. I felt God employing me to do something for Him!

Months later, I started using my hands to express my heart-fullness. When I first discovered Procreate, it was surprisingly easy. Every stroke was gracefully placed as if each stroke was handheld by Jesus. Eventually, this led to the illustrations today. I was creating art that I never knew I could. My hands were free, my mind was center — I was celebrating my life!

There are days, I struggled. I told God that this is not good enough, confused, and uncertain. Yet, in His sweetest voice, He reminded me that it is alright to take it slow, enjoy growing, He already got me covered. He wanted me to stay still, let Him cradle me into a resting posture while He points me the paths to take.

Again, my heart filled up with hope and a vision of what I was getting into. I was not asking to influence the big big world. All I wanted was to share a glimpse of what this God has done for me and is still at it!

Eventually: Slow + Live + Create = #slowlivecreate (slowly create)

The initial thoughts for this were just an #hashtag, to put together a part of my journaling on Instagram. I wasn’t sure where this was going to grow into. My friends who loved it gave me ideas, but it was all to earn some quick bucks since I was not working full time. I had my doubts as I didn’t want it to be just a source of income. I sensed that there was more to how God is moving — touching a life through words and drawings.

In any case, like any creative individual, I got jaded. A week ago, I was considering a closure for #slowlivecreate, since I was going into a new job. Also, I didn’t know what else to do with it. Then a nudge from this dear friend reminded me that God has purposefully placed me in this position. “What we create is anointed, even if they are brush strokes or apparels without words. Each Creative expression that is birthed with God is anointed — means you touch and impact anyone who sees it, whether they realize it or not.”

With that perspective, I kept at it. Wherever this was going, let it be God-led. Wherever He points to, I’ll follow. Now, I am beginning to see the future He has set me to reach. For one reason — this won’t land as just a hobby.

/ 1 Corinthians 15:58 MSG
With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the world of God, confident that’s nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.

✘ Crystal Y. © 2019