Today's post is a little different. I'm not so much sharing a card (but I am) as sharing my thoughts behind why I continue to make cards after all these years.
Yesterday I got to open some happy mail from my sister:
(Sorry. No stamp info.)
I could tell by the bumps in the envelope that it was going to be "pretty" mail. I couldn't wait to tear it open! And I was right. It's beautiful. It instantly brought a smile to my face. Then I opened it up to read the inside. What she wrote gave me another huge smile (and a little water to my eyes).
All a card really is, is little scraps of paper and bits of ribbon, mixed with ink and glue. But the biggest part of sending a card is the heart that goes along with it. And I could feel my sister's love laying right their in my hands.
Off and on through the years I've struggled with this "hobby". Am I wasting time? Spending too much money? Being selfish?
And now that I am a "pastor's wife", I struggle with "my ministry". How are you reaching others for Christ? What are you doing to further God's Kingdom? What is your purpose? Shouldn't you be sharing the Gospel instead of playing with paper?!
BLEH!!!!!
But today as I walk-praying, I really felt God gave me the thumbs-up on my creative passion. I felt a strong peace about my "hobby". Because it's not just a hobby to me. It's also my ministry. It's the way I get to share a little love with others. To bring a smile to their day. To congratulate or thanks them. To let them know that I'm lifting them up in prayer. It's me doing life alongside them. Sharing in their joys and sorrows.
Thankfully we have all been created differently. Our creative God has placed different talents, abilities, and passions in all of us. Our goal is to use those passions for God's glory. And I believe in my heart that when I send a simple card in the mail, the love of God shines through all those bits of paper and ink.
So I will continue to play with paper. And I will continue to follow God's leading in my life. And I appreciate you walking along this colorful, creative path with me.
Romans 12:15
"Be happy with those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying."
Thanks for stopping by!
Stamp something!
Krystal
3 comments:
I love this post, Krystal. I am a Pastor's wife as well and I feel card making is my ministry as well. Thanks for sharing! Hugs!
Krystal,
Thank you for sharing! I too struggle with those same questions. This was beautifully written. Thank you!
Dawn
Hi Krystal... just had to comment when I read your post. I have had all the same thoughts as you about my "hobby". Last year I started making cards for the elderly in our church on their birthdays... I don't even know all of them personally... but I really felt like I wanted to do this for them. Well... let's just say even though I don't know who they all are... they know me and my family... ad I cannot count the times in the last year and a bit that I have received a phone call or spoke with one of those seniors and they've got me crying just telling me the joy that receiving my card brought to their life or day, or the simple pleasure that some of them got just opening a card from someone who was thinking and praying for them.... some of them really needed it right at that moment.
All this to say... keep making cards! It's not just a 'selfish hobby'!
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