Saturday, August 6, 2011

Summer!

Sharing a couple of Summer cards. I 'rediscovered' the little Birdcage stamp from Hero Arts... have made so many cards with it, sharing this one with a piece of a doily that Wilmi from Holland sent me. PP is from Sue.


Well amidst the difficult times there are really nice days! I was thrilled to have random org pick my number twice to win a new set of stamps this week and Thursday I was a fab five winner on the Hero Arts blog with the card below - such a pick-me-up!
I cannot say enough how much all your blogs inspire me and the Hero Arts flickr gallery every day.


When I was making this card I was thinking of the holidays we have in Callela, Spain every year, next to the sea and was feeling a bit sad not to be able to go this year. I love the Sea!

Now I have a little share which I hope will be an encouragement for you as it was for me. I was laying in bed the other night thinking - what shall I do if my precious boys leave home and I don't have to care for anybody but DH anymore. Of course we have our Missionary work here but I am still a Mum, wife and like to keep the home a place of rest and peace. And just this morning I read this devotional which I thought was very timely and very practical:

Your Best Days Are Still Ahead '...Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara...' Ruth 1:20 NKJV

Learn to build your life around your person, not your role, otherwise when your role changes you'll lose your sense of worth. Being a good mother is a noble calling. It's also a self-sacrificing job. But when your children leave home and those demands are over, it's easy to feel like Naomi did. Her name meant Pleasant. But after her two sons died she asked to be called Mara, which means bitterness. Don't allow changing times to change who you are, or to make you stop dreaming and give up hope. God still had a lot for Naomi to do. In the future she would mentor Ruth, who would give birth to a son who was destined to grow up and become part of the lineage of King David and our blessed Lord. What an honour! When your role changes, remember that your life's not over. See your own worth as a person, discover your next assignment, gather up your assets and keep on living and giving. Don't develop a 'Mara mentality'. She allowed herself to become cynical when her circumstances changed; don't let that happen to you! Discouragement often comes when we feel like we've seen it all, heard it all, done it all, and most of it was bad. No matter how old you are, you can never say you've seen it all. God can do 'exceeding abundantly above all that [you] ask or think...' (Ephesians 3:20) You don't know what God will do with your life before it's over. He has a way of saving the best for last.

Food for thought.
Have a great weekend!
Jacqueline

23 comments:

  1. Hi Jacqueline, I love the sea too !
    The first card is so pretty and summery and the second card is also
    summery, reminding us of holidays!
    Your cards are so beautiful, they inspire me so much thankyou.....
    and of course congratulations once again Jacqueline !
    love and hugs
    chris richards
    xxxxxxx

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  2. Beautiful cards , beautiful thoughts, from a beautiful woman...YOU inspire us...love G. xoxox

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  3. What a wonderful post ... I love these words ... sometimes I can get really upset thinking that now my son is grown I am not needed so much ... my arms feel empty ... But I am wrong ... he will always need me and still be my boy and I can enjoy the man he is and I can grow too ...
    Love your cards ... both so beautiful ... Have a good day

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  4. Good morning beautiful!!!

    What a great way to start my day... I love your inspirations... both in your art and in your words...

    Congratulations on all your wins!!!

    And thank you for sneaking over to my blog.. which has been quiet for a while! I am working on exactly what your words said... to be me through all the changes going on!

    xoxoxo

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  5. Oh, Jacqueline, thank you for that little essay. Our boys have been out on their own for quite a long time now, and I've adjusted, but I love knowing that there could be even better times ahead if I remain open to the possibilities. Wonderful thought! So glad that our paths have crossed, my friend, you are always an inpsiration! Congratulations on your honors received this past week - they are SO well deserved!

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  6. Jacqueline, congratulations on your
    wins and recognition this week! Your
    food for thought is so true and
    important.

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  7. Truly wonderful creations Jacqueline, both of them. They really have that summer feel to them. And I don't think that you will feel 'empty' once your boys have left the house, because you have cared for them such a long time they will always come back to you, to a house filled with love and laughter. Ira x

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  8. Oh, your beautiful cards, Jacqueline! I hadn't been on Hero Arts for a couple of weeks, so didn't know about the "beach-squares" one. As for the thought about Naomi....it's fabulous! I've been an empty-nester for at least 8 years, so I've adjusted. But I had our two sons in my late 30's and they were the best achievement in my life and we were always close. No bitterness, though....but I do miss them still. And they live some distance away. Thank you for the beautiful thought.

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  9. Wonderful pieces of artwork..both are so beautiful...hope you are doing well too.

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  10. Hi Jacqueline, hope you are feeling OK. As you know I have just spent two weeks in Nice and have had a lovely holiday. France is so inspiring and I cant wait to get cracking with my lavender cards and bags. I have looked at yours are they are perfect, the ones you sent Suzz are gorgeous. You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world.
    Congratulations on your recent wins your cards are always so pretty and so unique, you have a fabulous style. Thanks for all the inspiration.
    Hugs
    Sally

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  11. Hello Jacqueline! First of all, your summer card is beyond lovely!! I love how you incorporate patterned paper into your designs and just make them "work".
    I also appreciate the encouragement in our roles. I home school my children and often think ahead to when that stops and it is kind of scary. I appreciate you sharing your insight. HUGS!

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  12. so glad you won some goodies Jacqueline... and your cards are lovely. Great inspiration to us all.

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  13. Beautiful card, Jacqueline.

    The words you share speak volumes. We all change roles as we go through life. Daughter, sister, student, wife, mother ... each step brings us knowledge and a new level of love in our hearts. Nothing can compare to the love you feel for your children. My two are still young, but I know with the strong bonds we nurture, they will not be too far ... where ever life takes them ... because they will always be in my heart.

    Congratulations on your honors ... they are well deserved!

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  14. Beautiful cards Jacqueline and a lovely post.

    Words of encouragement and Such perfect timing with my son now in the military. I sometimes feel so lost since he's left. Time to focus on new things and healing.

    Congrats on your wins, well deserved
    Hugs Lynn

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  15. They are very cool! :-) The colours are genial and every detail makes it more beautiful. Congrats :-)

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  16. Beautiful sea art work, Jacqueline. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts today. You are right on. I am sending you an email about this.

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  17. Gasp - I saw this card on the Hero Arts blog and had no idea it was yours! I adore it, will most likely CASE it, and give all design credit to you! **Smile** Beautiful card! And so glad to hear that you're doing well...continuing to hold you up in prayer!!

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  18. These are both such great cards.. I just love seeing your creations. And your words are so inspiring. Thank you!

    Hugs, Linda

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  19. Your cards are so beautiful! Love the birdcagestamp.
    Take care!

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  20. Hi Jacqueline, I missed part of this post and just found it now....
    How wise and knowledgable you are
    after reading this passage it has made me think and i shall keep these thoughts in my heart and reflect on this when i am low......
    Thankyou for showing me how to adjust to change
    love and hugs
    chris richards
    xxxxxxx

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  21. We must read the same devotional! I was encouraged by that article, too.

    Gorgeous cards, well done!

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  22. This is strange...I saw your card on Hero arts, followed it to your flickr gallery and followed it to your blog. What is strange is that half hour ago, I was so dejected with life..I just switched on the internet to distract myself from my pain, and I stumble upon your blog where you shared this beautiful essay...it was like God brought me here, to make me read this as if in an answer to my prayer.
    Thank you so much...
    It does sound strange when I re-read the comment, but I think you will understand.
    Big hugs.Tejal

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