Sunday, October 2, 2011

Stampin' Sisters in Christ ~Challenge #109

It's another Sunday and another scripture verse challenge on Stampin' Sisters in Christ!! This week's challenge is brought to us by the fun and talented Kris Breach of "Ink Something." You can visit the Stampin' Sisters in Christ blog and see the devotional as well as the design team's samples for your inspiration.
This week's Scripture:
Galatians 5:22
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
The challenge:
Include FRUIT in your creation. (could be designer paper, digi paper, stamped image, charm, etc...)
*By definition, a pumpkin is a fruit, and so are other "harvest" produce such as gourds.*

I received a crate of peaches from a friend a couple of weeks ago; just before we were to leave on a trip. Not wanting to waste any, I went to work peeling, slicing , and freezing. So when I viewed this week's challenge, I was excited to bring out this Magnolia stamp featuring Tilda holding a peach! Isn't she sweet? I have long admired these stamps that have been water colored with distress inks, so this week, I challenged myself to try this technique. It is a different look than coloring with copics, and I like the softness the water coloring medium lends to this sweet image!

This verse is one I have not visited in awhile...and it was such a good reminder that when we have Christ in us; he enables us to live by the fruits of the Spirit.  I did a little inventory of the fruits...not peaches, strawberries, and kiwis...but those fruits that Christ alone can accomplish in us. I know when I am short a fruit (or two or three)...it means I am not walking by the Spirit, but I am relying on my own strength.
This week I am concentrating on one of the fruits of the spirit listed in this verse, "peace." What I learned is that "our peace is an inner calm that is promised to those who believe who have a thankful attitude based on an unwavering confidence that God is able and willing to do what is best for his children." That perspective has really helped me this week...knowing that I can be thankful even in light of difficult circumstances...because I can know that God is doing what is best for me.
This past week I was given the "peace that passes all understanding..." that is promised in Philippians 4:6-8. " The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." There was a situation that would send any mother into a tailspin of worry and anxiety...and yet I experienced so much peace. I prayed a lot during the day, and slept really well at night.  I was talking it over with my husband today and asked...so what was different? The situation remained, nothing changed on the outside...but I felt different on the inside. Could it have been the prayers of others, my own prayers...and then I realized...the difference was I could see a tiny window of God at work. It was as if  the heavens were parted just enough to see something minuscule on a universal scale, yet so large in my life from a heavenly perspective. So then, the question I asked myself, So did that mean that God wasn't at work before? No...it just meant that God was really gracious in allowing me to see a speck of what he was doing in the grand scheme of things. And so I can only thank Him.
I hope you are encouraged by this week's verse and I look forward to see what you do for today's challenge.
Have a blessed Sunday!

11 comments:

  1. Amen Traci, thanks for sharing your testimony of peace this week. I experienced peace in the midst of the storm ... literally as a tornado went over our college. That was years ago, in fact 20, but I have that as a reminder that even in the non-literal storms of life, God gives us peace when we seek Him.

    Your card is ADORABLE, I love Magnolias, and what a blessing for you to receive a crate of peaches!! How wonderful are they... and they smell so good too! *Ü* May your whole week be full of little blessings (and big ones too!)
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  2. What an awesome card! I love your story about the peaches too! Glad you are back and that you had a good time! Have a great week.

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  3. Love your coloring and color choices & design, BEAUTIFUL!

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  4. Your own devotional here really resonated with me Traci. Thanks for the blessing!!!

    I LOVE your Tilda card... she's a favorite of mine and I haven't inked her up in too long. Peaches will always hold special memories for me as they are a favorite in the South and therefore of my dear mother. Peach cobbler... yum! Lucky you to have all those frozen and ready to go!

    Hugs,
    Lisa

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  5. Hello Traci - nice to see you are back from your amazing trip! Love this card - she is beautiful and your details divine! Peace - such a great fruit - I love the saying 'Sometimes God calms the storm, other times He lets the storm rage and calms the child!' What a truth!! I pray you have peace this week my friend!! {{{hugs}}}

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  6. Hi Traci!! I enjoyed your take on the verse!! Thanks for sharing!! Peace is very important...God is working on both my peace and patience at this time. Your card is darling!! Love your coloring and the design!! Stunning coloring!
    hugs,
    Chris

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  7. Hi Traci! So glad to see you back from vacation and this card is just over the top adorable! LOVE how you colored this sweet image and the great coloring! Loved your words today.... once experienced, there is nothing that compares to God's peace!!! Have a wonderful week!!!
    hugs,
    Grace

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  8. Hi Traci! So glad you are back home...making wonderful things in your stamp room and in your kitchen! What a precious image this is...you always do these images proud! Now that you are back, when you get settled in we can get together. Sorry I have not answered your email, same ole, same ole.....

    I really need to have you teach me to color but then what would I color, I never use stamps! Yikes!

    The music on your blog helps me type fast! Snort!

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  9. She is such a sweet little girl, I can't believe I still don't have a single Tilda!
    But be careful when you look at the Washi, it is made for yet another addiction.
    Your writing is so elegant. This team was made just for you!
    Hugs to you my sweet friend!

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  10. Welcome home......and wow...you are right into crafting.....such a precious creation....sorry that real life is keeping me from visiting too often but know that I think of you often even if you don't see me here

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  11. Tilda looks so cute and you have colored her beautifully. I love the dp.

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