by Heather Gilion
When I’m not in the throws of being Super Mom or Super Wife or just Super Crazy,
or when I’m not traveling with my sister Holly sharing Jesus with all my Fristers (friends + sisters),
or when I’m not writing and sharing my thoughts with those on the other side of the screen…
I am painting.
Photo credit to Ziegler Photography
Photo credit to Ziegler Photography
A year ago I started doing this thing… I started using one of my talents in a new way. I had no idea I’d be up to my neck in orders a year later, but that’s what happened when I said,
“God, what could You do with this?”
So, yes. I’ve been silent on this blog for far too long. I’m striving to learn balance in all the ahhmazing things God has birthed in my heart to do. But even though I may have seemed silent on the blog, it’s only because my paint brush has become another way I use my voice. So I thought it was time to give my two worlds a proper introduction. Shake hands, why don’t you! I think you are going to like one another.
If you’ve read our book, Dancing On My Ashes, then you know it is FULL of Scripture upon Scripture that God used to speak into my life and bring healing to my bones. His Word gave me direction, hope, fire, home-sickness, joy, peace… purpose. A year ago I prayed,
“God, what could You do with this hobby of mine? It’s Yours! These hands are Yours. My time is Yours. Show me how to use it to point people to You.”
Well, be careful what you pray for, right?
No! Pray. Don’t be scared. Pray them BIG prayers, it’s fun. Well, I’m watching God do what only He can do with a willing heart and refurbished wood and paint. You see, the Scriptures that I’ve treasured in my heart are now hanging on walls in homes all across the country. I started with some of MY favorite verses and then requests started pouring in for me to paint YOUR favorite verses.
“Can you make Isaiah 41:10 for my wife. It was the verse she clung to all through chemo.”
“I’d love to have a piece with Ephesians 3: 20 hanging in my home. I went to a women’s conference and God really used it to speak into my life.”
“We are adopting from Africa, and this verse is why.”
“John 1:5 is our verse. We have been called into the darkness to stand as a beacon of light.”
“I’m praying this for my grand baby.”
“Joshua 24:15 needs to hang in our home for our friends and family to see that we are anchored to Him.”
“Jeremiah 29:11 always seems to bring me back to the truth that I can trust HIS plan for my life.”
Sometimes I just paint what is on my heart and watch how God will use it.
And almost every time, story after story would emerge of how God chose to use each piece to display His goodness to His people. A love that is more than just wood and paint… it’s a supernatural love that pursues us. Relentless. Beautiful. Present.
Look where this piece ended up! It was purchased to be placed in a new shelter in Ethiopia through a beautiful organization called “Out of the Ashes.” She sent me a picture yesterday and I bawled my eyes out!
“Can you paint my mom’s final words she said to my sister and I before she passed away?”
Other times I have been asked to paint favorite songs…
“My mom’s favorite song is Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) by Chris Tomlin. I’d love to surprise her with it.”
“My sister and her family want the Creed hanging in their home as the theme of their lives.”
These three pieces were made for families after losing children. Can you imagine the tears I shed over each of these pieces?
So this is just a quick look at all the fun God is letting me have in painting truth on wood 😉 And it all comes back to this for me.
HIS Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I will continue to ask God to use what I have. My gifts at times feel like a couple loaves of bread and some fish, but when we take those things and hold them up to God we can watch what ONLY HE can do with them. I’m thankful to get to paint and meditate on His love letter to His people.
Which brings me to the gist of this post. I thought it would be fun to do a little giveaway. I’m calling it a Give-Love-Away! #giveloveaway
Here are three pieces and I’m going to give ONE away on Valentine’s Day!
#1 Be Still
#2 It is well with my soul
#3 The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me {psalm 138:8}
I’m also giving away our book, Dancing On My Ashes to the winner! Follow steps one through three below and you’ll be officially entered… #4 and #5 give you an extra shot.
- “Like” the “Story Designs” Facebook page: StoryDesignsBySandH
- “Like” our “Dancing On My Ashes” Facebook page: DancingOnMyAshes
- Leave a comment here on this blog stating which art piece you’d like to win and why. {Maybe you want to enter to win one of these pretty pieces for someone else? That would be AWESOME! Enter to win FOR THEM! That would be in line with #giveloveaway!}
- Share this post with the hashtag #giveloveaway and get your name in the drawing twice! Whoop whoop!
- Follow the blog while you’re at it and get ANOTHER ENTRY in the drawing!
I will announce the winner on Valentine’s Day! Entry deadline is February 13, 2015, at midnight (CST). The winner must be in the lower 48, unless you want to pay the extra charge for international shipping.
Okay! I think that’s it! Happy liking and sharing and giveloveaway-ing!
Dancing On My Ashes 