This week I found out I didn’t get the job I really wanted. I had the type of experience required, and of all the jobs I applied for recently, that was the best fit for me. But I didn’t get it, for whatever reason. Am I disappointed? Oh, yeah.
Last evening I spent some time on my new hobby—sketching. I took a notebook and a picture of my cat Babe, sat down on the front porch, and drew to my heart’s content. I found with practice I can do a decent cat’s head. (I’m still working on the body). By “decent” I mean someone else could look at it and recognize it as the head of a cat, instead of asking, “What’s that?”
While out on the porch I sketched Babe, a tree, clouds, a rock, and chimney swifts. I discovered with patience and the boldness to shut down my perfectionism, I can produce drawings which actually look like what they’re supposed to look like.
Last evening I realized something else, too: doing creative activity helped blunt my disappointment about the job. Working on creative projects is forward motion, whereas dwelling on an unwanted outcome is at best static; at worst, it’s heading downward fast.
God unleashed His creative energy at the beginning of time. Since we are made in His image, each of us has the gift of creativity inside us. I’m thankful for the way that gift helps me cope with sharp emotions which come with the bumps, bruises, and jolts of life.
If you are dealing with negative emotions, why not give yourself a break and exercise that creative spark God placed within you? Chances are, you’ll feel better for it.
Some Scriptures: Genesis chapters 1 and 2; Exodus 35:25, 26, 32-35; Exodus 36:1, 2; I Kings 7:13, 14; Psalm 104:24; I Corinthians 4:12, Colossians 1:15, 16; Revelation 4:11
©P. Booher
Country Ripples 
I am sorry you did not get the job sister, but your Father does have something for you in His perfect time.
I love your take on creativity, that is both you and brother Rainer taken to sketching recently…I feel His prompting here!
Thank you for your encouragement.
Over the years, I’ve taken a lot of pictures, and thought I’d try sketching them. Some recent pictures of trees I took with the idea of sketching them.
Back in the 1950’s, a man named Jon Gnagy was the Bob Ross of his day. He had a tv show, and demonstrated what goes into drawing pictures–composition, shapes, etc. My mother bought a book of his, and every now and then I take it out and practice with that. It is a good, relaxing activity, as long as I don’t get hung up on being “perfect”.
“Working on creative projects is forward motion.” What a fresh concept! I will try this the next time I’m obsessing over something negative. Thank you, and God Bless!
That quote is truly fresh, because it occurred to me as I was writing the post! I am amazed at how much help doing creative work is to me. It helps me relax, regroup, get perspective, and feel better all the way around.
Thanks for reading and I’m glad I could offer something that could help!
“Working on creative projects is forward motion.” — Yes!
Thanks for reading and commenting!