Little Things

When I’m working on a big project I find it difficult to tear myself away and do other things—even when those things are very important. A great example of this is the time I illustrated my book, Lucilla and the Snarly Skein. During that time I did little else. I went for less and less walks and saw less and less people, all the way up to the time I completed the illustrations.

We had such a beautiful release party for that book! My friend Carrie, who is a creative master-mind, created a stunning setting for the party. Using pruned branches from a Crape Myrtle tree, she made an indoor forest with fairy-lights and yarn, and my original paintings hung all around. It was like walking through a park, an art gallery, and Fairy Land all at once. Magical!

An hour before I was supposed to leave for the party, I went into my closet to put on my only nice dress, the same one I’d worn for countless events because I don’t love shopping. To my horror I found that the dress wouldn’t zip up!

That’s how I learned that sitting perfectly still for endless hours has a tendency to make me gain weight (something I’m keeping in mind this time around). Having no other option, I held my breath and tugged on the zipper until it zipped.Thanks to the art of distraction—strings of beads, a colorful ribbon in my hair, yellow shoes, and a big scarf with tassels—no one got a good look at the too-small dress.

From all this, I learned the importance of maintaining some level of balance in life when working on a big project.  And yet, I still get so drawn into my work when it’s something I’m especially excited about that I have to pry my fingers off the paintbrush and step away.

Lately, I’ve been forgetting to post on Instagram which may seem like a small thing, but is really important for me as a working artist. It wouldn’t do to work endless hours illustrating, only to look up at the end of the project and realize I have no audience to share my book with. So I’m restructuring my days a bit to include little important things that have gotten shoved aside in the name of “the big project.”

And all this reminds me of how God is always calling me back to small faithful steps. For example, have you ever noticed how life-altering thankfulness can be? Just noticing God’s provisions, in whatever form they show up, calling them out, and saying, “Thank you Lord, for this provision.” That tiny action can turn gloomy darkness into a night filled with stars.

Blessings to you,

~Amy