The Soulful Series Newsletter
May 2022
Hey Friend!
Happy May and Happy belated Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there!
This is a month that always seems to slip like sand right through my fingers. There is so much “in bloom”: the flowers and trees, the wildlife is bursting with life, graduations, proms, weddings…the list goes on and on.
If you’re anything like me, you are probably finding it pretty hard to even keep up right now with all these beautiful and worthy things! Hang in there because, even though the ride takes perseverance, what you have experienced in the end is usually worth it.
The month of May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. As a tribute to those who persevere through chronic illness, I decided to do an Instagram campaign of sorts to support education, research and awareness. Each day this month I have been providing educational posts and painting butterflies to support this cause. I will be contributing a portion of the proceeds to the Global Lyme Alliance.
And, tonite I’m so excited to be welcoming the members of The Lovely Crux Community to my home for the first time for some fellowship! The Lord first started nudging me to create an online faith community late in 2019 and I had no idea how He would end up using it! Little did I know, a worldwide pandemic was about to take place and that we would be socially isolated. I launched TLC in April 2020 and (I believe) the Lord used it mightily to bless many women through it. Wow! Isn’t He amazing?!
Ephesians 3:20 says, “God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, and above all, you could ever ask, imagine, or think, according to His power at work in you. To Him be the glory.”
This is just another instance of learning to persevere through trials and now we all get to be together tonite after a long season of being separated. If you’re not a member yet and you are looking for a faith-filled community to grow with, you should consider joining us. We use this digital platform for daily devotion, spiritual growth, community, accountability and prayer.
Through my own personal walk, I am learning that perseverance is usually driven by three main things: fear, love and desire. Those are three very powerful motivators, aren’t they? So, it’s important to try to keep these three drivers in balance so we don’t lose our way or one doesn’t have too much power over us. It requires perspective and wisdom, but if we can come close to maintaining this balance, we will likely find that we have stood strong and reached our goal. And also, perseverance should not be considered dreadful or painful because what it really means is that we are leaning into growth and aiming for victory!
So as the month of May continues to “bloom”, I urge you to press on, to have perseverance, to seek balance and to lean in to both your trials and also in your victories!
xoxo,
Michelle
Things worth Sharing
READING . LISTENING . WATCHING
I’m currently reading the book of Exodus as my daily devotion right now. Leaning into the understanding of bondage and deliverance and what it looks like to persevere under trial.
Loved watching The Shack upon a reminder from a friend about the blessing of this movie.
NOTICING . WITNESSING . MEDITATING
I have been spending a lot of time gaining wisdom and meditating on the content for A Soulful Calling. This is a special edition I’m offering of Art + Soul. I hope you will click through and check out the heart behind it and consider upgrading your subscription. I’m packing it full of some truly nourishing, encouraging words and inspiration. *p.s. It will also give you some insight into the monthly themes of this newsletter
REMEMBERING . CREATING . HOPING
Just released several new artworks to Charleston Artist Collective for the month of May. The theme was “Organic” and a portion of the proceeds benefit Dee Norton Child Advocacy Center. (see image below)
Additionally, on June 2nd, I will be participating in the second “Postcard Show” hosted by Post House Inn in the old village of Mt. Pleasant, SC. The event will take place from 4pm-7pm in the Rose Room and is open to the public. This is a great opportunity to see a variety of works from artists across the whole Artist Collective family. Hope to see you there!
Parting Words
REFLECTION QUESTION
Who is the most resilient person you know? What makes them resilient?
QUOTABLES
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
I hope something here put a smile on your face + warmed your heart! If it did, I would love to hear your response.
See you in your inbox next month for the next monthly newsletter all about
Joy!