My intention is to capture that magic, helping another group tap their
inner artist and awaken their self expression. Mostly, I want them to show
their beauty to the world and themselves.
My tenure six years ago assisting in my daughters' elementary art room
has profoundly affected me and, now, my life, as I begin an arts exploration
for fourth, fifth and sixth graders in my re-purposed neighborhood school
classroom. I remember getting that fortuitous call from my youngest's
first-grade teacher: "How would you
like to help out in the art room, we have FORTY first graders with
SCISSORS and ONE teacher?" My heart immediately said yes.
This art teacher has the gift of bringing out the best in all children. She bubbles with
infectious, creative energy. In her art room, students are all equals and, as
such, expected to do their best creatively. Shy kids opened. Kids with behavior
issues channeled that energy into their art. Kids that have to play adult at
home, got to be a kid for awhile. Kids that felt invisible elsewhere, were seen
and encouraged. Kids that struggled with academics, found a home where they
excelled and where process was valued over product. Labels disappeared along
with anxiety and negative identity.
I don't know whether I'll be able to pull that off, but I am not alone
in this work. Not by a long shot.
First off, there's God who has been calling me to this for a very long time. She patiently waited
until the timing was right, growing her whispers to broadcasts I could not ignore.
My husband and daughters have been with me all of the way, encouraging
me when I could not see the light.
My Quaker community has been on board from the beginning. I have been
the beneficiary of a number of clearness committees, when others listen for
where God is working in on person's life, a congregation that has taken this
project under its wings and a dear care committee. The Clarence and Lilly
Pickett Endowment http://pickettendowment.quaker.org helped pay rent and the Good News Associates http://goodnewsassoc.org offered up a
grant to cover supplies. Both are Quaker-based.
I have a dream team of an advisory/action committee whom God collected.
Their gifts are over-flowing into this work. They include: the incredible art
teacher who started all of this; another fabulous teacher who regularly visits
this community on her own time; my recently retired sister-in-law with whom I
have been aching to do something creative; my best friend and able facilitator
(she makes things happen); a longtime Quaker pal who has been with this before
I even knew what it was; an enthusiastic, wise-cracking neighbor with a big
heart and non-profit/ministry background; and a newcomer with lots of energy and
grounding.
And I can not forget the Quakers and Facebook friends, neighbors, family
members and acquaintances who have donated crayons so each of 150 kids at this
complex receive a pack when we host an arts sampler/registration for Artsy
Fartsy Saturdays next month.
Three months ago, none of
this was in place … except in the heart of God.
Wow, I can’t even take it
all in.
• How have I seen seeds planted by God grow?
• How have they been watered and nurtured?
• What others has it drawn into my path?
• How has the heart of God opened to me?
• How has that transformed me?
listless and waiting
for what,
I am not certain
sure enough
a call came
and it seemed
simple enough
to say yes to
answering gave
me one of
the best years
of my life
then it was over
though I wasn’t done
yet
something
deeper
and bigger
was percolating
with God’s
hand on the pot
and in my heart
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