2 Ways I Fed My Creative Side & What I Learned

In January 2009 I satisfied my creative needs in two ways. First, I knitted a sage green scarf. I love the length, warmth and color. I still need to thread in loose yarn. Then it’ll get packaged up and sent away to a dear friend as a thank you. I’d better hurry before the weather turns nice.

Second, my daughter and I read to each other. We read “The Good Earth” by Pearl S. Buck. I borrowed the book from a Starbuck’s near my home (Olson Drive) that has a lending library.

The book revolves around 3 themes as experienced by Wang Lung. I understand this is a good portrayal of what life was like in China in the late 1800’s, early 1900’s. Life’s harsh realities and fortunes reinforce Wang Lungs beliefs in the 3 themes of The Land, god and women.

Women were simply tools, a way to get what was important in life: material things, survival or release of sexual urges. O-lan, Wang Lung’s first wife, was never cherished for who she was. Her devotion and hard work were taken for granted. O-lan’s lack of physical grace, desirability and beauty fostered rejection from her husband. Sadly she died without ever knowing marital love.

The gods were portrayed as fickle, weak, malevolent, unknowable, spirits who did not love people or even act in the best interests of the people. Fear, anger and despair motivated people to worship the gods.

Wang Lung worshipped The Land because it was . . .

trustworthy
the sustainer of life
a source of dreams, a hopeful future, peace and comfort
honest – it built personal character
THE way that a family stayed strong, united and powerful.

The Land was Wang Lung’s god.

The above 5 bullet points describe what I think about God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. The place He has in my life. But honestly, sometimes I do put other nouns, gods, idols, in the place of God to get me through life. I’ve given idols like food, pride, unbelief, and despair my attention and let them dictate my actions.

One way for me to stay focused on the One True God is to pray with intention. Beth Moore’s book Praying God’s Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual Strongholds is a tool I’ve used to get what’s important in life: a single-minded focus on living life God’s way. I want to live with God’s all-consuming passion wildly directing my time, energy and resources. I don’t want to merely go through The Motions (on youtube by Matthew West).

Hey, Lorna?! Let’s follow-up on our commitment to re-read and re-pray the Scriptures from this book. What’s your week looking like?

I need the accountability of a friend to help me succeed in my One Life to Love (on youtube by 33 Miles).

I need the help of God to live well. Lord, Give Me Your Eyes (on youtube by Brandon Heath) so I can really love people the way You love them.

Now it’s your turn.