Daydream Designs by Diane: Free Scripture graphic

The sun is out and birds are chirping in stereophonic surround sound! What a gorgeous day it is as I write this...not as warm as I'd like, but still it LOOKS springy outside. Welcome to another wonderful Wednesday Word Art challenge...the last one this month. We would LOVE to have you come by our blog, read this week's devotion, use our scripture graphic by Karen Murray, and inspire us with your own creation.

Isn't it beautiful?! And just so happens to be one of my favorite, oft quoted verses. Because it is so true. Our mind, and the places we allow it to go, determine the peace that is available to us. When we take our mind down dark corridors of doubt or distraction, our peace wanes. A mind "stayed on" God...what does that look like?

I believe a mind stayed on God, fixed on God, is worry-free. Completely? Completely.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,

what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear.

Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do no sow or reap

or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuagle than they?

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:25-27

Does God know the heart of a woman or what? We worry about "life" so much, and our thoughts often turn to our bodies, what they look like and how we will appear with the sad state of our clothing. Right? I'm not a "selfie" kind of person, I'd rather enjoy extraneous scenery than look at myself, but still I don't like the skin I'm in right now. Now that my ankle is healing, and I'm nearly recovered from my toe surgery, I should be able to time it about right to hit the pavement and start walking while enjoying the spring weather. I'm just going to do something about it. Not worry or fret, just get out there and make the inches and pounds roll off this body.

I'm always a bit amused watching birds in my back yard in the spring. Those little mamas work so hard getting the nest ready, then tending to the eggs...watching, guarding. We complain about how many trips we make up and down the stairs for laundry. Have you ever watched how many trips from here to yon those mama birds go when foraging for a meal? They work so hard. No problem slimming down after babies are born!

They simply take care of business, completing each day's assigned task, then when the time is right, they let go! They teach, show, guide, feed and nurture...but they do let go. I think hearts "stayed on God" are a bit like that. At some point we have to let go of the worry and the anxious thoughts, because those thoughts keep us from filling our minds with the thoughts God wants in our heads. He wants to fill our hearts and our minds with Him.

We have work to do, some of it mundane, some thrilling, some exhausting and some revitalizing. While we work, we must have a degree of surrender. There are points on any task that we simply have to say, "Done." I've been an empty nester for quite some time. Last year one of my fledgings returned to live with us again temporarily. I must say, I'm getting used to, and loving, having more stirrings in my nest. I like the company...I enjoy the participation I have in the lives of both sons. But because I'm close to them and involved, I have to think often about keeping my mind worry and clutter free.

As I thought about designing this card, I kept thinking I should add something else....maybe some sponged clouds in the back, or some sweet little piece of ephemera to cover the "sawed off" tree branch. But because of the verse, I opted to keep it clutter free and symbolic of putting the task to rest and saying, "Done....enough." Could I have done more? Does the sun shine?

In life, we have to work hard sometimes to keep our minds clutter free. I'm the sort, who if not careful, can rise in the morning and think, "Surely there's something I can worry about if I think hard enough." That's why it's best for me to do my quiet time in the morning. It helps me leave that day's worries to God and I just focus on Him. I want my mind stayed on God...more than anything. That takes discipline...and His Word...and a cup of my favorite tea!

Sets Used:

Nest to Sky Color Set
10 color images / JPEG and PNG / 300 ppi / resizable
$4.00

Nest to Sky Papers

10 sheets / 6 x 6 / 300 ppi / resizable

$3.00

Nest to Sky Outline Set
6 outline images (one is a silhouette)
JPEG and PNG / 300 ppi / resizable
$3.00

Hope Soars Sentiment Set

15 sentiments / JPEG and PNG / resizable / can be recolored

$3.00

Yippee! My favorite day of the week! I just love Word Art Wednesday challenges. I LOVE seeing all the participants who share such amazing inspiration, and the DT never ceases to amaze me. I'm more and more humbled by the creative company I keep there. Karen Murray of Papercraft Memories always designs such beautiful graphic depictions of our scripture verses. And I'm so blessed that some of her best work is available in my digi store, Daydream Designs. This week's verse is a comforting passage when we consider the instability of our nation right now.

Throughout scripture God offers a formula for our security. When we trust God (more than intellectual assent), and obey His Word, God promised we will dwell abundantly in His presence. He will provide everything we need to carry out His will for our lives. This passage does not espouse some of the false doctrine contained in health and wealth philosophies. We are never promised long lives, or lives without challenge. Some of the most faithful believers I know have health issues or live with very humble means. We are not promised much in the way of material blessing. God is far more gracious and benevolent than that!

When we trust and obey God, we are promised every spiritual blessing of heaven. We are promised eternal life. God grants us His grace and mercy daily, His provision and protection from the enemy. No one can snatch us from His hand once our lives are fully committed to Him. (John 10:27-30)

We should be careful to remember however that our God is not indulgent. He is gracious, merciful, and loving, but He is also holy. He will not overlook or bless our disobedience. We cannot live apart from Him and expect the fullness of His blessing. Our obedience is important to God. And it should be important to us.

For my DT sample this week, I chose nearly all Stampin' Up! supplies. Even though I own my own digi stamp/paper store, I still absolutely LOVE my SU stashes. These are current papers and cardstocks. I've always loved the contrast offered with black/white and a pop of bright color. Strawberry Slush is just a yummy color!

Wanting to focus on the verse, I kept my design simple. Just a little bling and embellies to compliment the die cut verse is really all I wanted. I love the subtle backgrounds created by embossing folders too.

Karen's sets are absolutely fabulous, and she offers several freebies on her blog, Papercraft Memories.

Karen is a homeschooling mom of 6 (two of which are grown and married) and a grandmother to two precious girls. Her greatest loves are obviously God and family. You can immediately sense her commitment to God and His purposes in her life through her crafting and artwork. She is so creative, but always exalts Christ with every endeavor. She designs web backgrounds, and wall art in addition to her scripture sets which are featured in my store. Her generosity is apparent through her consistent designs offered free each week on Word Art Wednesday.

I just want to take a moment too, to showcase her sets available in our store. All her graphics are high resolution and can be easily sized without compromising the quality of the fonts. Just GO HERE to see her landing page in our store for product information.