It’s always amazing to me to see how people relate to handcrafted goods. Some seem to shy away from the extrinsic character of an item that clearly reflects the intrinsic character of the one who made it - and others are drawn to it - they bond with it.  It’s safe to say that I tend to fall in the latter category. I am drawn to the heart, the hands, the story, the details and even the imperfections that make the crafts of makers beautiful.

Perhaps it’s the nostalgia of it feeling old-fashioned in my hands, or maybe it’s the notion of something having its own personality - or maybe it’s something that runs much deeper.  As a Christian creator, my creative process is something I struggle to define, because it’s so much bigger than me.  There’s this place of solitude - of exhale - that seems to breathe life to something beyond my own mind, ideas or ability.  James 1:17 says “Every good and perfect gift is from above,” and while I see that verse most often associated with the gift of babies, it holds true for every gift - including the gift of bringing ideas to life - of creating.  Maybe that’s why I connect with another maker’s work - because I know it’s ultimately the work of the Maker himself - that’s the draw, that’s the bond.  

The gift of creating is not just limited to craftsmen either.  We were all made to create - our medium just differs. Before you argue and say you’re not creative - hold your horses.  Being creative isn’t a one size fits all title and it certainly doesn’t look the same for everyone.  I may not be able to carry a tune in a bucket or make elaborate sculptures - and you may not be able to make jewelry. If everyone made jewelry or everyone made baskets or candles or music or wooden furniture, the landscape of our world would not be nearly as functional - or beautiful.  We were all made to create, because we were made by the Ultimate Creator - and He made us to reflect His heart.  Some people are made to create impactful relationships, some to create new inventions, some to create a home with sweet memories for their children, others to create a bountiful harvest by working the land and some to create positive change.  Some are made to create art and others are made to create brilliant business strategies.  We are all made to create something (probably more than one something) - and there is one common denominator - to create something good.  

Only five words into The Bible, we find the word “created.”  “In the beginning God created…” and so it begins.  The beginning of time began with God creating something...from nothing.  And as we continue reading, everything He created, he didn’t stop and move on - until it was good.  First there was darkness made good by light.  Then came the firmament and oceans - which were made good when the waters were gathered and dry land appeared.  And so the story goes, God created the next something, and it was good. Finally, He made man and woman in His image - “then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good..”(Genesis 1:31).   

Creating isn’t always making something physically tangible.  Sometimes, our creations will never be seen by man while others may be displayed for all the world to see.  Either way, God sees and He knows.  We are all creating something. The question is, when God sees it - whatever it is - does He say it is good?  If you are doing it for His glory - I have to believe His Creator heart smiles - knowing that the creation which you have made is His very breath brought to life by your willing heart - and hands.

The {Heart & Hands} Behind Handcrafted is this:  we were all made to create, so make it something good.

Blessings,