What does creativity mean to you? Today, author Tanya Eavenson shares an experience that provoked a whole new thought about how she sees the meaning of creativity. - Sandy
Tanya: When you think of being creative, what do you think of? As a
writer, I think of creating words and characters that draw my readers to turn
the next page. I think of story lines that show Christ’s character and His
redemptive love. But overall, I’d say creativity is the ability to take an idea
and make something meaningful out of that idea.
The words creativity and
meaningful took on such a stronger
context two years ago when I learned my six-year-old was legally blind in both
eyes.
I remember the first day she came home from school with her
glasses. She jumped out of the van and headed straight for a weed in the yard.
She knelt and stared at that pink patch on the ground for who knows how long
before she turned to me and asked, “Can I put this in my room?”
I bit back tears because the weed to me was nothing of
value, but to my daughter, it was the most beautiful flower she’d ever seen.
The sparkle in her eyes for that weed fueled my creativity, but it also begged
the question, how can I help my daughter see the things she’s missed?
We began a special scrapbook, dragged out old pictures, and
poured through them both so she could make new memories. We’ve pinched leaves
off bushes, played in the dirt, caught lizards, toads—yes, I caught a toad!
Never thought I’d try to go toad hunting before, but it was so worth it by how
fascinated she was with the bumps on its back. I’d do anything for her.
Isn’t God like that with us in a way, creating the heavens,
the sun and clouds by day and the moon and stars by night. Creating the babes we
hold dear in our arms and how our hearts yearn for them … an overwhelming love
and fierce desire to protect them from harm. A glimpse of who God is and His
love for us.
Our Father finds different ways to speak to our hearts, to
draw us near Him, because when we look up at the stars or the feather-like
clouds above, I can picture God looking upon us. I can picture God saying, “These
things are nothing of value in my eyes compared to you, they are a reminder to
you of who I AM. And you, my daughter, are worth more than anything this world
has to offer. I made you. I gave you life through My son, Jesus. I’d do
anything for you.”
Ephesians 1: 13-14 says, “Having believed, you were marked
in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our
inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the
praise of His glory.”
Perhaps the Lord is saying to you, “How can I help My
daughter see the things she’s missed?” Or, perhaps He’s asking you to help
others see the beauty of His creation, so that they too can understand the
depth of His love?
God gave His son for us and raised Jesus from the grave so
that we may have life in Him for all eternity. Indeed, this is the greatest
creativity and my mind cannot fathom it.
It’s called REDEEMED.
~~~~~
Tanya Eavenson enjoys spending time with her husband, and
their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee, eating
chocolate, and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian
Fiction Writers, Word Weavers International, and writes for Christ to the World
Ministries. You can find her at her website http://www.tanyaeavenson.com/ on
Facebook, Twitter,
Goodreads, Google, or on Amazon.
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