God writes big stories, stories that seem impossible. And they are, if you think about it. He seems to take great interest in impossible stories, and I think they’re interesting, too. But I rarely raise my hand to live them.
I write small stories. Everyday, I write stories for my life that include comfort and fun and entertainment. I live inside my little story like coloring a sunshine yellow – I stay in the lines and keep to the plan. Suns are supposed to be yellow, right? I am a rule-follower.
God makes oceans rise up like two great walls, and invites people to walk on dry ground between them. It’s not even muddy. I step around puddles in the parking lot because I don’t like to get my feet wet.
God made porcupines and palm trees out of nothing. And I make things out of nothing, too – things like worry and anxiety and fear. I live small, and I wait for permission that never comes.
I wait for the art to arrive, too – wait to feel courageous enough before I create. But creativity actually births courage. It comes after, not before. If you wait until you feel ready, you could be stuck in your small story for a very long time. Dare to see the art in everything, take small risks with great faith. You may find the fear fade a bit, and courage just might rise up within you like two great walls of water on either side, high enough for you to get lost in a good way in the bigness of it all.
Beautiful thought! Carrying this one with me thru the day!!!! Blessings,
Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants´s last [type] ..Kitchen reveal
I love reading this series on the importance of Art and the daily creation of it– even if it’s not with a paintbrush or an epically-crafted tale. I love here your reminder that God is the Writer of BIG stories. So often, I forget that and assume HE is the one writing the bits about me choosing to live small.
Thanks, Emily.
Encouraging and thought-provoking, as always.
Laura@Life Overseas´s last [type] ..The Children with Roses
Love. This. Such sweetness in stepping out, taking a risk, making a choice to take a leading role in living the life we’ve been given, and not just waiting… God gave us choices and He is with us – guiding us. But we bless Him and honor Him when we use the wisdom He’s already given us and step out in trust…that’s faith in action.
Amy´s last [type] ..helping someone else tell her story
This is so true…
I am enjoying this series a lot. I’ve seen how it has caused me to think twice about things throughout the day and notice them in different ways.
misty´s last [type] ..Shedding my bad girl ways
I love that, Misty. And now I’m curious to click on your ‘shedding my bad girl ways’ post!
I am taking a photography class in March…can’t wait.
I have no idea if anything but a hobby will ever come out of it…but I’m taking the class.
trusting that courage comes after the art.
I found your website through The Nester and I just want you to know how much I enjoy your style of writing. It is so encouraging. I’ve loved the series on art that you’re doing. I think a lot of Christian artists feel guilty about our art, like it’s carnal or only self-serving or something. We sometimes forget that God is the author of all real art and His limitations are endless. I’ve been reminded of this in reading your blog. Your writings have been feeding my writings lately and I feel fresh inspiration coming from my pen. I’m so glad I found your blog! Thanks again
Oh my, this one hit me hard. I’m a rule-follower too, sitting here waiting for courage, and living small. I needed to hear how that courage “it comes after, not before”. And now I’m inspired and encouraged…and scared too!
Thanks for these words today.
Oh, wow….beautiful post!!! I am a big rule-follower too, and I very much appreciated your reference to the parting of the Red Sea. I’d never quite stopped to think of it like that. Thanks for making me ponder a few things this morning.
Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last [type] ..Weekend Bloggy Reading- Highlighted Links!
I’m really enjoying this series or soap box or whatever that you’re on – I want to live my life like art whether I’m washing dishes or making a cute little something on my sewing machine! (both of which I did this week) What you’ve been saying about being afraid of what other people will say really applies to so much of my life – really, is there anyone who doesn’t worry at all what others will think? I just read Exodus last week and it’s such a crazy, big, incomprehensible story of how God brought his people out of slavery, forgave again and again and came down to dwell in their misdt. Wow. And it’s our story, too.
me too. i often dream big but live small; i wonder if there’s an art to falling flat on my face?
but i sense you are right, that most times the courage comes after.
nicole´s last [type] ..grace enough
you are on FIRE! I love this series.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..A Portrait of Humility With A Few Words From A Rat
simply outstanding. thank you for encouraging the artist in me.
Beautifully written Emily! Wow, you are such an encourager.
Blessings today!
Abby´s last [type] ..Happy Friday & A Kitchen Reveal!
This is so, so, so true. I cannot tell you how much I adore this whole series.
This has been so good for my soul.
This is the “wallow on the ground because it’s just so stinkin’ good” kind of posts I need in my heart right now–BRAVO!
Amanda´s last [type] ..Treasure- Week 4- Children
Good reminders. And, I try to remember that God has a sense of humor. After all, he made that HUGE pit inside of the avocado. And, mango. And, just look at a banana – it even looks like a smile
Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D´s last [type] ..Flipping the Bird – Link Up Your Recipes!
Your posts are always such an encouragement to me. I really needed to read this today. I am really struggling this week with worry, anxiety and fear. Thank you!
Life is a weird balance of BIG and small. How to find both and bring balance in my life is a serious pursuit. I want to embrace both and be afraid of either. You series is making me think.
Fondly,
Glenda
Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..House Tour part five I love my kitchen
Oh my, I love this. There is a big stretch of farmland I drive through most nights on my way home. After a day of looking at what is in front of me, looking down, looking close, looking small, I love to look up at the sky and realize how big the world is. How big life is. This post just breathed that into my day, thoughts and soul. Thank you.
“…and I wait for permission that never comes.”
Uh-oh. I’ve been found out.
And will I still be waiting for permission when I’ve got dirt and grass growing over me only to arrive Home and hear, “What were you waiting for?”
Uh-oh. I’ve just remembered.
How He told that story and I think I might be in it. The one where somebody’s been digging in the dirt burying their treasure on loan and rationalizing out of fear, saying, “Well, it’s only 1. I’ll just sit on it and save it. For something. Someday.”
Thank you for the light, Emily.
Thanks for sharing this… Lately, God seems to be reminding me about how He delights in doing the impossible, and that He has called me to do not what I am able to do, but what He is able to do.
You are on the biggest roll. Every post is perfectly timed and beautifully inspired. I used to be afraid of big, sure that bigness was not for me. I would even say it out loud. For the past two years, as our family is going through our “smallest” moments, I’ve been trying to be open to bigness. Because God is a big God after all. Who am I to say?
shelley.´s last [type] ..a story of faithfulness- for my grandpa
This is right on. If I had a prayer for my sisters (and brothers) in these days and the next generation it is that we would believe the God of the Bible, of the Red Sea Parting, and the Word breathed miracles that if all were told would fill the whole world…would be the God we believe and will live like He is real.
One step of faith at a time…be blessed today, Emily:)
Abby´s last [type] ..Our Story Their Story God’s Story- Part 5
Small risks with great faith … I like that idea! Sometimes those small risks are the hardest ones to take!
Emily, I am enjoying your series so much. It is coming at a time where I am taking a huge leap of faith with my creativity. Your words are a healing balm for my many “small” fears. Thank you.
This, my friend, is a FABulous post! I love love love it! Think I’ll share it with some friends!
Megan´s last [type] ..Karen Peck and New River
I love the thought of getting lost in a good way. Thank you for another thought-provoking post.
Maryea {happy healthy mama}´s last [type] ..The Family Dinner
Thank you for this!! I, too, am a “rule-follower” and this was a timely reminder to step out in faith! Mind if I link to your post? I have some blog friends that would certainly appreciate this as well!
Katie Holmes´s last [type] ..She hangs the stars
This one, I love. It is perfect for today, and you are so right!!
Pattyann´s last [type] ..Snow and Ice
“Courage comes after.” Hmmmm. You’re probably right about this, which is most likely why I’ve never experienced it.
Wonderful post! I hope I get to meet you this weekend.
Shelly @ Life on the Wild Side´s last [type] ..Why Im Going to Blissdom
Thank you for continually writing just the right words to help me take a few more necessary steps. I truly appreciate you!
Were you teacher’s pet? The stricter the better? Just curious because I’ve always been a rule follower, too. The teachers loved me for it. Living small and waiting for permission that never comes. You stepped on my toes with that one. I’ve been working on a project all day with a nudge from my daughter. I’m so glad she nudged.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Grateful Anyway
Oh, and I meant to say thank you for your nudge.
Southern Gal´s last [type] ..Grateful Anyway
Beautiful, beautiful words. Thank you!
I needed to hear you today, Emily. I needed to hear this today. I have lived the last two yrs of my life in absolute terror, panic attacks and all. It’s always about the dollars. And then I get by. SOMEHOW. I know it’s Him. I know He makes me figure it out. But there’s always something that doesnt make the cut. I dont make the cut. What gives me relaxation &peace doesnt make the cut. What would be ajoyful adventure doesnt make the cut. And it is out of fear. Fear that what little I would spend to make my adventure happen wouldn’t come back around in time,and then what? I was always a risk-taker. I *made* things happen. I made things *work*. Where did that go? It has nothing to do with my physical spine &nerves,but i’ve lost my backbone. It has nothing to do with plugged&collateral-building arteries,but i’ve lost my heart. And the benign tumor& cranial nerve damage have nothing to do with it,but i’ve lost my focus,moxie,cajones.. I get by,by the grace of God&friends. If I have the guts to ask. Fear can take it all.
get lost in a good way in the bigness of it all. my mantra for the rest of my life. bless you! have fun in Nash-Vegas!
This art series is really outstanding & is giving me new eyes. ‘Creativity births Courage’ is something I want to hold tightly to. I feel like I already see the art in anything & everything. So I need to take some risks & step out of my small and simple box that’s holding me back. I’m sick of living small. I know it’s not what God intended for me. Thank you – really – Thank you – for your encouraging words.
These artsy posts have been on time for me!
They are gentle confirmation of the big message God has been whispering in my ear.
“…creativity actually births courage. It comes after, not before. If you wait until you feel ready, you could be stuck …
Knocked me right between the eyes. It’s the Answer I’ve been begging God for.
Thanks for bravely allowing this voice to be penned.
Joy´s last [type] ..taming your gremlin
Love it! We have been approached about taking two foster children with special needs and it seems so overwhelming but my God is a BIG God that does BIG things!
Paige´s last [type] ..Only Speak Words that Make Souls Stronger
Holy COW you are such a great writer!
“I live small, and wait for permission that never comes.” This TOTALLY hit me over the head. DUH!!!!! Thanks so much for helping me see that I can do, I can make, I can create . And I don’t have to wait for anyone’s permission to try. I know that God wants me to live BIG! So, here I go, LIVING BIG!!!!
I love the true insight that creativity produces courage. Father increase my little mind to step out with you!
Another fabulous post. Ae you hearing the voice of God all around you? You’re writing as if you are! Love that! My favorite line:
“If you wait until you feel ready, you could be stuck in your small story for a very long time.”
Amen, sister. Time to get out of our small so try and live in God’s BIG story!
Hugs,
Linsey
LLH Designs´s last [type] ..The House of Belonging
Sure needed this one today. Thank you so much for speaking the words He gave you…one step at a time He is doing an amazingly big thing in and through you, Emily!
Praying for you…
Building Home with Him,
Mary Joy
Mary Joy @Seeds of Encouragement Sewn with Grace´s last [type] ..Amazing GraceFor once I was blind but now I see!!!
Thank you for these words. Sadly, I think my whole life is ruled by the fear and anxiety that I make out of nothing – often it’s crippling. I check your blog daily – looking for comfort, and I always find it. Thank you for that too.
can you tell i’m working my way back through your blog?! you are inspiring me tonight emily! i have been feeling God’s nudges to pray bigger, to believe Him for more. to trust Him more than my worries about myself getting in the way. i desperately want my story to be about Him. i know how pride can ruin and how easily it comes in to my life. and yet i am bursting for more of Him. i want to live it all out. i love Him and i am committed to praying and believing bigger. thanks for your encouragement tonight!