Hearing From God in the Creative Process

It's so amazing to me how I forget to listen for the whispers of God from day to day.  Knowing that He has spoken and the blessing of obedience in listening, is the purest pleasure we as humans can encounter.  Yet-I still run about my busy days, weeks and even months without so much as taking a breath's moment to hear Him.  I'm so thankful for His grace in not letting me ignore His tugs at my heart.  I love it that we serve a God who is relentless in His loving pursuit of us.

The last time I listened. I know at least 3 people that God blessed...I was one of them.  There is something about the creative process that helps me to slow down, pray and pay attention to the Creator as I go.  Whether it's a painting, a recipe, a logo or a room vignette, when I put love for others in the details, God shows up and guides me along.  I ADORE that.

Earl Grey Cake with Raspberry Jam Filling & Lavender Vanilla Frosting...baked in a jar for perfect shipping to a far away friend.

Let's spruce up the jars a bit...

 

A bow makes everything better.

I got this adorable cooler/lunch bag at Target for $10, it'll make the perfect cooling/shipping solution for my cake jar birthday gifts.

Hand glittering a card made from some of my new artwork.  It's the little details in the creative process that make me love being an artist!

One more bow for good measure.  I am such a girly-girl. Lol I also added one of my Style Tiles to the gift for good measure :)

The result of this creative process was astounding to me.  In the midst of dreaming up a lovely flavor for my cakes and picking out shiny ribbons & glittery embellishments, I felt the slightest push to take the gift a step further.  "If I can't be there to eat cake with Jo, maybe I can find someone who will."  I heard myself think.  Then I told myself that was crazy talk and moved on.  The thought haunted me for a week until I finally googled and picked up the phone to call a church local to my far away friend.  After agreeing that I was crazy, the kind woman on the other end of the line said she's make some phone calls and see if anyone was game for my ridiculous birthday plan to have a stranger celebrate my friend's birthday with her.

Two days later, I got a call back that a missionary was back in town and said she would LOVE to meet a new friend.

One day later, I just happened to call Jo the very second she brought in her box from fedex with the jar cakes inside, so I got to be there for the gift opening after all.  What are the odds that I would call that exact second?  She went on to say that she and her new missionary friend spent an hour on the phone and wept together when they discovered that one travels the world to help orphans and children with Downs Syndrome, while the other Blogs about orphans and children with Downs Syndrome from a wheelchair in her apartment.  She then told me that they made plans to get together that very afternoon.  (To dream about how the Lord would combine their efforts no doubt!)  My heart over floweth.  The three of us got a glimpse of God working in our lives that day.  There truly is no greater blessing.

Tell me how he is speaking to you today?  If there is someone or something on your heart, listen to yourself, it may very well be the Lord asking for your help in His kingdom today.

xo,
Sherri
Rev 3:22 (NIV) "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says..."

To make my Earl Grey Jar Cakes...

Earl Grey Tea has a wonderful floral taste that compliments white cake in the most beautiful way...

Choose your favorite White Cake Recipe.  Mine is here.
Tear open 1-3 Earl Grey teabags according to your taste, or choose loose leaf tea.  Crush with pestle and mortar (or grind in spice grinder) to a fine powder.

When batter is ready and oven is preheated according to your recipe, start layering batter then Earl Grey powder in jars until one third full, ending with batter.  Bake until toothpick comes out clean when poked in the center.  When baked, the black tea powder forms lovely swirls that show through the jars. :)

Let jar cakes cool.  Add drops of  Lavender extract to taste and drops of Violet food coloring to your favorite Buttercream recipe.  Mine is here.

Using a small spoon, scoop out a spoonful from the center of your cakes and fill with a little dollop of Raspberry Jam.  Cut off bottom of your little chunk of cake and use the top of the chunk to 'cap' your jam filling and create a smooth base for your frosting.

Using a piping bag or two spoons, frost jar cake with Lavender Buttercream and embellish with sprinkles.   Top with lids and freeze overnight for shipping.

Pack in a cute cooler with ice packs.  Viola!  (You also you totally have my permission to eat them yourself.)