Greetings! I pray that you are all well and enjoying the first day Advent. I have to admit I jumped a bit ahead. The Make Room advent book from Naptime Diaries has been waiting for me to peek in since October!
Advent is just my favorite season. It’s a time to really look at your heart and prepare room for the biggest celebration of all — the birth of Christ!
Well, I peeked in and, smack! The first thing I find is a reminder that my heart is, well, messy and my priorities are mixed up.
I spend too much time on the to-do lists of life, tidying my home being one of them, and too little time letting God bless my heart and mind with His healing order and truth.
Becky Keife points to the story in Luke 10:38-42. In the story, Jesus visits the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. When Jesus arrived, Mary wanted to spend all of her time sitting at His feet, absorbing, listening, and resting in His presence. Martha, on the other hand, was focused on serving and was busy preparing and working. Frankly, Mary ticked Martha off. Martha wanted help! She wanted Mary to pay attention to the to do list! You know what Jesus said when she complained, “Mary has chosen the right thing.” Basically, leave her alone.
People have often told me me I am Mary and Martha rolled into one; but lately, I think I have been too much of a Martha and I need more Mary. I don’t think I am alone. Becky Keife writes,
“…a messy house is better than a messy heart.”
BAM. There is the truth. One that needs to be documented. One that I don’t want to forget. Perfect for Bible journaling! Here’s my process:
I prepped my page with clear gesso and used a clear page protector to keep it from going onto the pages behind. Once dry, I taped the page to the clear sheet to keep the edges from curling while I worked.
I started with the ideas God gave me and sketched them loosely on a pad of paper. I wanted a graphic, simple message without illustration.
After sketching a draft, I collected the supplies and began to lay out the lettering on a clear sheet. I love the Bella Blvd sticker sheets. They come in yummy colors and have just the right thickness.
I added some black block letters from my stash. I didn’t have all the right upper and lower case letters from one sheet so I mixed them up. I liked the contrast and the “messy” feeling it produced. I love how God works His message in even more completely when we use what He provides. I cut out a heart from my favorite Geli Plate handcrafted paper.
Once I had the basic design of the sticker lettering, I added the handwritten script words.
I added washi tape to the edges of my pages. I do this so that I can easily find pages that I have illustrated and I like the color it adds. Lastly, I highlighted the story of Mary and Martha, added the author of the quote and Advent 2015.
Well, there you have it.
Determine with me to prioritize God and spending time with him this Advent.
Let’s let Him “tidy” our hearts so we have more room for Jesus.
Blessings, hope, and peace – amy
ESV Hardcover Journaling Bible
