"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect
gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:16,17
After almost 41 years, I can finally say I am not deceived. By His
grace and after many falls on my face, sometimes in the sweetest
purest worship, sometimes in shame and so many times in pure brokenness
of heart and the deepest grief I believe one's spirit can know, I
have learned this basic Truth of God. If there is anything that comes
out of this redeemed saint's body that is good, even just a smidge
good or tons and tons of like hot fudge cake good, then it is not
me, it is my heavenly Father. Anything good=God. It's that simple.
But that's Him, too.
What does this have to do with jewelry?
Everything. I know God has gifted me to create things with my hands
and my eyes. Funny way I came about to have this gift. God sent it
down through
a line of people to me. Just like grace, didn't do a thing to get
it. He just gave it to me. Oh yes, I got a bunch of junk, too.
That part came with the sin nature, but God in His mercy is working
on that so I won't pass it down to my kids. My grandfather was
an artist...oh the things he could draw. Cartoons like Heckle and
Jeckel, Daisy Cow, Chicken Little, Tom & Jerry. The basement he
painted with old cartoon characters (painted before I was born
40 years ago), is still there, still painted. I marvel. My Dad,
he got some of that, too. He doodles...and he is a storyteller.
Good stories, very elaborate stories....just makes things up in
a flash. Just as natural as breathin' in and out. Writes pretty
too...real fancy and swirly. My mom, she's always had a knack for
color and design. Sees things in her head way before it's on paper.
Me, I need a picture...some kinda visual. She should have been
an interior designer (the kind that get paid).
And then it comes on down to me.
I have a "good and perfect gift" because it's from Him.
He inspires me. Sometimes I'll pray and pray about a piece and He'll
show it to me in the night. Just right there in the quiet dark..pling!..He
opens my eyes and I see it. Then I make it.
Or should I say I attempt to make it! Oh they come out pretty. They sparkle...I
like it when they sparkle! Heaven sparkles, you know. Just see Revelation 21:
10-27 and check out those gemstones! I only use sterling silver and Bali or
Bali like beads in my creations... And I love to use the real gemstones.
Sodalite,
jasper, onyx, malachite, pearls, carnelian, lapis. Oh, lapis...did you know
because of it's abundance around Mt. Sinai it is believed the 10
Commandments were carved on lapis lazuli? It must have looked exquisite.but
then, that's God, too. His
Word is beautiful.
And so I started .
putting pieces together. Watches, bracelets whatever comes to mind.
I love it and God has drawn many other eyes to it. So I offer it
to you, here on this
website, an inspired work via a perfect gift, straight from God and ......Off
My Wrist.
- LeaAnn
|