The harsh brush strokes of society and culture paint titles and expectations on us in colors so subtle we barely notice that we’re being covered. Images of success, self-sufficiency, pride, glory, and “you can do it all” swirl around us and we reach out to grab the one that shines brightest and shows us off in the best light. We look to see what everyone else is doing and try to mash that facade onto our canvas because it looks good, is good, works for her, and is what everyone is saying we should do.
I want to be a good painter.
I don’t want to create, write, live like anyone else. You and I have been designed by the ultimate Creator – infinitely creative – not meant to reflect one another but to shine more Jesus. We invite Him in to our lives to cover the ugly splatters of sin with a coat of white. Fresh starts, clean canvases, and we throw away the brush of expectation and hand it back over to the only One who can see the masterpiece of our lives from start to finish.
You are uniquely you. Paint who you are. Write who you are. Live and work and mother and design and cook and shine – who you are. We will never be able to do it all – so let’s be inspired by who God has created us to be and do THAT really well. Let’s paint who we are.
Yes and Amen !!! May I learn to stop comparing and create, write and live as myself
Amen! Beautiful words Crystal!
You have a way with words friend. I’ve really seen your talent for writing taking off lately. I’m so excited for what the future holds for you, friend.
Janelle
“You are uniquely you. Paint who you are. Write who you are. Live and work and mother and design and cook and shine – who you are.” Oh Crystal – I LOVE this! Amen, sister!
Amazing! Amen!
“I don’t want to create, write, live like anyone else.” I’ve only heard your voice online but could feel the power in your heart as you wrote those words. Shine more Jesus….I like that. Let’s.
amen friend! Hopping over from FMF community
Loved this so, Crystal.
I am learning to me inspired by who God made me to me. I am going to paint who I am. I am thankful to be covered by his white paint over my ugly sins. I love that. I am uniquely designed. I am going to paint who I am, write who I am. I am going to live, work,mother and design,cook,shine who I am.
What beautiful encouragement to be as we are created, and to reflect our Creator not any of His creation. Truly beautiful! Thank you
Yes, let’s paint who we are! It’s hard enough to paint me without worrying about trying to be somebody else, anyway. Thank you for these words tonight. And so thankful to be covered by his white paint over my ugly sin…love that. Blessings!
“Paint who you are.” This is such a hard, good reminder…still trying to figure out exactly who that is, but I’m thankful He knows! Hope you are doing well, my friend. Wishing we could share coffee and a chat. Sending hugs!
And now I am singing the song “I see your true colors shining through…” 🙂 I love the idea of throwing away the brush of expectation. YES! I find I keep picking it back up though. Must keep throwing it away, because I want God’s work in me. Only His!
Loved this post and loved seeing you even more! Much love to you!
Paint who you are. Oh how this breathes life into my soul, but takes it away all at the same time. Thanks girl@!!
I LOVE this Polluck quote. You’re right: our true colors will come through, and what we paint with our life is what we are deep down inside. Thank you for this thought-provoking and beautiful post. (from another #fmfparty sister)
“Paint who you are. Write who you are. Live and work and mother and design and cook and shine – who you are.” Thank you for this post. For these lines in particular. A fresh cost of grace for this try-hard gal.:)
So hard to duck all those expectations placed on us by the world. What a great reminder to be who God created us to be!
Those expectations are so sneaky – grateful for this community to keep me headed in the right direction 🙂
I Love this!! I know I have spent too much time in the past trying to be what others expected from me. So glad that we have been given the freedom to be who we are.
Praise God for the breaking of those chains!
. Paint who you are. Write who you are. Live and work and mother and design and cook and shine – who you are —> Love this! So much YES and AMEN to this!
Not too shabby for having NO IDEA what to do with this prompt 😉
Learning to be who God has inspired me to be! Love this post, Crystal!
Thanks so much Holly! From my perspective, God has inspired you to be someone pretty amazing 🙂