a place for your soul to breathe
You have that thing you want to do, but all you have to do it on is a cardboard box. You could point to the box and say, Hey, that’s a box. I can’t do a thing with that. And throw the box away. And wait for something right and proper like paper to show up in your hands. Or. You could pull out a glass filled with color and get to work. I don’t know what your cardboard box is. I don’t know how big, ugly or impossible it seems to you. But I do know you have one. So what will you do with it?
There isn’t one great thing you were made to do. There's one great God you were made to glorify. When you embrace the unique shape of your soul and live as the person you most fully are, art comes out. (Coming Nov. 2013)
My first book encourages tired women to let go of the try-hard life. Instead of trying to grab on to grace, what would it mean to let grace grab on to you?
Written especially for teen girls encouraging them to give up on perfect and instead trust the One who is.
Love this, Emily.
And I picked up your grace book for summer reading. Can’t wait!
Susie Davis´s last [type] ..looking upward.
You’re going to love it Susie. It’s one of those you keep handy to leaf through when that inner critic is going wild.
Laurie Wallin´s last [type] ..Overcoming Your Inner Critic as a Parent
Couldn’t believe it! We have our markers in a container exactly like the one in the pic! My daughter was amazed:) Needed this reminder to use what “is in my house” Thank You!
Becky´s last [type] ..Thankful for Opportunities and Cold Brew Coffee
I spend a lot of time looking at my box, waiting on that memo. Time to get out the crayons and get busy! Thanks for the push this morning.
peace`elaine
elaine @ peace for the journey´s last [type] ..Relay for Life… {a father’s post}
Your post reminded me of a little bit of inspiration that a little boy had with cardboard boxes in a video produced by an LA filmaker. I saw it on http://www.amysullivan.blogspot.com/cardboard-arcades-and-dreams/html. I am showing it to my family tonight. Thanks for your encouragement, you always seem to have the right words at the right time for this girl.
Shelly Miller´s last [type] ..Mind the Menagerie After the Gap
yes! Canes Arcade! My husband and I visited it a few weeks ago when we were in LA. I’ll have to post the photos here soon.
how fun that you actually got to see it!
Shelly Miller´s last [type] ..Mind the Menagerie After the Gap
Um. This is exactly the word I needed today. Thanks SO much! I just wrote and post and scheduled it for noontime looking for answers, but I think I may have just gotten my answer.
~FringeGirl
the domestic fringe´s last [type] ..10 Things I’ve Learned about Dieting
Thank you. Relatively new to your blog, but already fully inspired and encouraged every time I’ve read a post. Such a delightfully uplifting and at times convicting simultaneously, like today.
Camilla´s last [type] ..Project Life | Week Seventeen
Welcome, Camilla! Happy you’re here – and thanks for the encouragement. Glad to know these words have lifted you.
THIS Emily, is so good. So, so good!
Jamie @ Six Bricks High´s last [type] ..What Happens When the Kids Grow Up
Hi Emily,
I am a new reader to your blog. I picked up your book “Grace For the Good Girl” at my local bookstore recently, and it has been a fantastic read for this recovering good-girl.
I am the same age and in the same life stage as you, and reading your stories hit me hard, because it was almost like reading my own. Thank you for sharing your gift of writing and teaching!
I also wanted to comment on your post today about the cardboard boxes. In our sermon at church this past Sunday, the pastor spoke about miracles. One of the things he said was that sometimes miracles happen with things we already have. We are often looking for something else, but God shows up and uses the very things we already have. It really made me think. And now I’m reading your post – I feel like God is trying to say something to me this week!
Blessings to you as you continue to use your gifts to minister to us!
Marcia
Wow, what a big message in small but powerful (and colorful)packaging. Amazing how you hit the mark for me, AGAIN. Thanks, Emily. I think my cardbox is transforming into a beautiful Tiffany blue one, due inpart to your inspiration. Amazing how the tools we have can take on a different look depending how that lense shifts.
Elizabeth´s last [type] ..Can’t Go Around It, Must Go Through It
Last year, you inspired me to get back to painting. It took a while and I was interrupted by life sort of falling apart for a while and a move but… I finally finished it. I hope to post on it soon. Thank you for your constant encouraging words here. For always telling us to push forward and not dismiss our dreams as not worthwhile.
This post is just more icing on the cake!!
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home´s last [type] ..Filled With Awe
I love the way you see and say things. And I love you, too. To pieces.
Kristen-Chasing Blue Skies´s last [type] ..A Letter to My Daughter: What I Want You to See in the Mirror
So simple and beautiful! Just the kind of inspiration I need to {a} be content with what I have, and {b} be creative with the resources God has provided for me. Thank you!
Trina {Beginner Beans}´s last [type] ..Blog I Love: Design Mom {launch of olive us}
and, if you have been a good girl all your life; and, by bringing that box out causes people, family, and/or friends to second-guess and “discuss” your switch-up…. Do it anyway! (w/ grace of course.)
This is where I’m at, so I’m talking to myself, here.
Thanks Emily.
Reese´s last [type] ..waves of peace
I just loved this short, sweet, and simple post today- wow! gonna think about this for a long time…
Charissa Steyn´s last [type] ..Gaining Perspective {and recipes!}
My favorite thing to play with when I was a child was an appliance box. I could make the most awesome play houses. It’s a cheap activity, too, unless you are the parent who had to buy the appliance.
Lisa´s last [type] ..Things I Wish I Could Change
For the very reason that someone may toss a cardboard box {it’s junk} is the reason I hold onto it in attempts to give it new life. This is a much cheaper way of fulfilling my dreams of becoming a heart surgeon and helping “save li[ves].”
Jasper {crunchylittlebites}´s last [type] ..Things are about to get very very cute
i’m always in awe of how you say so much with so few words. amazing, girl.
carissa´s last [type] ..rejoice over real marriage
Okay, I’ll be pulling out the metaphorical cup of colours this weekend.
CheezyK´s last [type] ..In what may become a series
Thank you, Emily, for this.
m l´s last [type] ..A Family Update
Crazy day for me – crying, laughing. Big highs and lows. Unsettled, pms-ing… and this is EXACTLY what I needed. Blessings, sister!
Laurie Wallin´s last [type] ..Overcoming Your Inner Critic as a Parent
I was working with a cardboard box for 7 years of mediocrity and failure.
But in the end, I had something far more solid and real and attractive
Thank you for your words and for your faithfulness to God’s leading. You continually challenge AND encourage me- and I am so very thankful!
(LOVED “Grace For the Good Girl” and excited to see how God continues to use you for His glory- planning to do a small group with our youth in the Fall using “Graceful”!)