From Good to Very Good!

Read a wonderful article by David Trautman recapping a lecture by Andy Crouch http://www.culture-making.com/. This line in particular stood out to me:

"Image bearing transforms the world from good to very good." 

This idea, that we, as people made in God's image, have the ability to take the raw materials of Creation, and even the creative thoughts in our own minds, and turn them from something good, to something very good fascinates me. 

Crouch adds, "the best of culture unfolds the very goodness of the world. Eggs are good, omelettes are very good; grapes are good, wine is very good." And to that I say a hearty, AMEN!

I love delivery day!

These hydrangeas look like sleeping beauty

What an excellent challenge, to take something as beautiful as the flowers of the field and turn them into something even better. God has given us so much to choose from, to play with, as I like to think, and it is delightful to experiment, to discover and to learn to arrange them with an artistic eye.

Though learning requires that mistakes are made from time to time, I still catch glimpses of that "very good" when things come together just so. I love the experience of sharing those very good things with others at events meant to be full of goodness and beauty.

An arrangement for a friend's family gathering

Mother's Day flowers from my lovely redheaded daughter

As Anne of Green Gables used to say, there is so much scope for the imagination everywhere you turn! I've enjoyed living in City settings for the last 8 years, after a good long time out in the countryside of Virginia, and now, armed with my little iphone, I snap photos of inspiring visual vignettes everywhere...poor husband must slow his pace to let me do that "work". I love seeing the ideas others come up with on Instagram, Pinterest, and numerous blogs I'm starting to follow, and really appreciate the shared wisdom and community effort in this space. 

 

Inspiration from around the neighborhood abounds.

Grateful for transitions that slow the pace of work and give time for thinking; a very important piece of the creative process. And while I am in transition I'm taking a little time to draw some of my favorites. Drawing helps me see the flowers in a new way, which might lead to something "very good". 

ah, fritillaria