Hey Friend!
Ahhhh, summer is here! Breathe it in.
Joy! Joy! Joy!
Truly, what a joy it is to have a change of season, a change of pace, and frankly, a change of heart. Right? Are you feeling me?
This time of year seems to usher in a greater sense of joy for most people. Now, not to say that there aren’t things to attend to or there aren’t circumstances or seasons that are harder than others, but overall, summer just somehow seems to bring a sense of childlike joy! If we’re fortunate enough, summer usually brings to mind vacation. For some, it means a break from work, and kids a break from school. Longer days mean more time spent outside and warmer weather to enjoy it. It may mean later wake-up times, more margin for friends, for porch-sitting, for reading, or for napping. It even evokes memories of summer’s past and the simplicity of a day spent doing not much of anything. Whatever it brings to mind for you, I pray it is full of sheer joy!
I have slowed my pace a bit over the last couple of months as an act of obedience, a surrender of sorts. I’ve shared with you before that I found myself in a year-long health crisis that I now realize has been a long time in the making. I’m a “doer” by nature and so that is why I say it was “an act of obedience”; this is not my natural bent, but the Lord has really shown me that rest is part of His plan. He has also shown me that healing (physical, emotional, and spiritual) is only found when we come to rest in Him. I really wrestled against that idea for a long time because I always thought what I was doing was “worthy” and “good” and by most measures, they were worthy and good, but so is rest!! And God doesn’t call us to make ourselves “worthy” or “good”, He calls us to rest in HIS power to make us those things. Hallelujah, right?
So, for this season, I will be continuing what I now consider a joy-filled rest! I will be moving at a slower pace and I will be listening very, very carefully for what the Lord is calling me to next, knowing that His plans are so much greater than mine!!!
I am so grateful for these seasonal reminders that our lives have rhythms and rituals that bring us new life and new hope. And I’m even more grateful for a God who loves us so deeply and carefully and attentively that He calls us to rest because He knows our true joy is found within His plan!
xoxo,
Michelle
Things worth Sharing
READING . LISTENING . WATCHING
I just joined a new group at my church where we will be learning about Prayer and the summer, I think, is the perfect time to dive into this meditative practice. The book we are reading is called A Praying Life by Paul Miller. I hope to be sharing more with you about what I’m learning real soon.
NOTICING . WITNESSING . MEDITATING
For the last several months, the Lord has really been pressing into me about being obedient to His call for rest. This is part of his divine plan for us: that we would have rest. Just stop and soak that in for a second, He commands us to rest. That brings me joy! I think I can get onboard with that.
REMEMBERING . CREATING . HOPING
Currently working on a couple of Commissions, one of them will be my largest to date at 60”x 84”.
I will be releasing some new Art Prints in July. I hope you will tune in on Instagram and help me decide which ones to offer.
Also, my next full collection release will be the first week of August!
Finally, I’m including some images from the “Postcard Show” for those of you who weren’t able to make it. It was such a joy to see so many members of the Artist Collective’s work in one room. If you are interested in viewing what pieces are still available, click any of the images below.
Parting Words
REFLECTION QUESTION
Who are you when you are your most joyful self? Try describing what you feel, what changes you notice in yourself, or what someone else might notice about you.
QUOTABLES
I cannot believe that the inscrutable universe turns on an axis of suffering; surely the strange beauty of the world must somewhere rest on pure joy!
Louise Bogan
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 Mercy!