Artfulness

"The arts and the sciences do have a place in the Christian life -- they are not peripheral. For a Christian, redeemed by the work of Christ and living within the norms of Scripture and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the Lordship of Christ should include an interest in the arts. A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God -- not just as tracts, but as things of beauty to the praise of God. An art work can be a doxology in itself."
- Francis Schaeffer

This little paragraph from the book "Art and the Bible" has been circulating in my head for about seven years. It's the primary source for the idea behind the title of this blog. Michael and I each have our own little arts, although I realize Francis Schaeffer was speaking specifically of the physical representational arts. Michael's "arts" run the course of solving mysteries of genetics, computer programming, living in a "green" and "energy efficient" manner, and being a handyman. Mine tend toward domestic arts such as baking, crafts, needlework, and reading (for it IS an art). What I wanted this blog to be was a chronicle of our family using our "arts", whatever they may be, as doxologies (things that bring glory to God) and, in fact, making every day a doxology--whether good or bad, painful or pleasing, trivial or tremendous.

In this time of Ann Voskamp and other such inspirational writers, it might feel as if I'm shouting into the wind with a subject matter like this. But this isn't about being "heard" by people. It's about living our lives to the fullest, with the aim of pleasing and glorifying God---and enjoying Him forever.

In the tiny moments of life which could easily slip by.