Creativity

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands; just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. “ 1 Thessalonians 4:11&12

When we look around we see God’s creation everywhere. His magnificent creation of roses, cats, stars, trees, mountains… all remind us of His infinite creativity.
God’s most precious creation is us, the human race. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created us in His image. That means we have characteristics like our creator, one is a desire to be creative, and the ability to create.
All of us have skills God has given us; everyone’s skill is different and special. When God called the Israelites to build the tent in the wilderness He filled a young man, Bezalel, with His Spirit and gave Bezalel skill, ability and knowledge in many crafts. Bezalel was skilled in working with wood, engraving gold, embroidering, and more.
Bezalel was not the only Israelite given a gift in creativity. Many of the women spun blue, purple and scarlet wool (Exodus 35:25), others wove linen, embroidered curtains, men built and carved all for the glory of God! They would bring there products to God as an offering, and God would bless them with more skill.
So today let’s just take a moment to thank God for His amazing gift of creativity and think of new ways to use our gifts, talents and time to bring Him glory! Maybe you do not feel like you are a very creative person but would like to learn how. Pray as the Psalmist David did: “May the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands. “ Psalm 90:17
Thank you Heavenly Father for your gift of creativity!

A Day in Penn Yan

Recently, we took our sewing machines to the Penn Yan Sewing Machine shop for an annual tune-up. This is always such a treat! My sewing machine is returned to me running like it did the day I first purchased it. : )
But beyond the pleasure of a smooth running machine is the enjoyment of a lovely day trip to Penn Yan. There is a large Mennonite community living in the Penn Yan area. Neat, white, farm houses set a top rolling hills, and from certain areas you can even catch a glimpse of Seneca lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes.
As you drive along many of the country roads you will see family run businesses, many run from home. Of my favorites are the several little fabric shops. : )
Pictured above is a green house we visited. It was difficult to decide what flowers to purchase when they had so many lovely plants to choose from. Our trunk that had been previously filled with our sewing machines on our ride to Penn Yan, was now packed with flowers on our ride home.