Close your eyes and conjure up the image of the most creative person you know. Now, think about the beautiful things this artist has created. What do artists create? Music, paintings, pottery, sculpture, plays, clothing, etc. Now...do you KNOW this artist? Have they ever created a piece of art for you?
In my opinion, God is the most creative artist in the universe. God's beautiful plan for each person is so unique - speckled with wonder and the unknown yet is engaging and colorful. Each of God's creations is a blank canvas of which He crafts and molds according the detailed plan in His head for each new work of art.
What's different about God's masterpieces compared to that of any other artist? His pieces are never finished. He works on certain pieces longer than others, sometimes even taking a break from the workings of his tools. Yet, when He is ready, where he feels the piece can be made even more beautiful, He begins his work yet again.
Chaz and I often laugh at the craziness of our lives since we've met...and all the changes that we've endured. In less that a two year span: we met, got engaged, moved in together, got married, moved to Atlanta, opened Iron Tribe, found out we were pregnant, had sweet Nora...and now we are anxious to announce: another move and another career change.
I like to think that the past two years God has been at work. He is not finished with us yet.
When we made the move to Atlanta we were excited for the opportunity of a career change, of working together day in and day out, of exploring a new city together, of impacting so many other peoples lives, and of spreading the love of fitness. We've done all of that and more. The past year in Atlanta has been so wonderful - we've met some great friends through Iron Tribe, joined the most amazing small group through church, shared with other new parents the joys and craziness of being first time parents, grown closer together as a couple and dove deep into what it means to be a child of God.
Speaking of children, our precious Nora has changed our lives. I had no clue a 5 lb 10 oz tiny human being could steal my heart as quickly as she did. Nora is a ray of sunshine at the beginning of every day as she smiles up at me. She is blissfully ignorant to anything negative in the world - unless she's hungry or needs to be changed. Having Nora in my life has challenged me to be selfless, a characteristic that not natural for most - think of her needs first before my own...which is why sometimes you may see me in day old clothes, but she's looking spiffy in her new dress. Adding another soul to our family has changed the dynamics of home and work life...so much so that I've realized I can't have it all - at least not at the same time.
We have decided the best solution for our family is for Chaz to continue to work and for me to enter into a new career - a career of diapers, sing-a-longs, carpool and snuggles with my little angel. With this decision, God has painted a new picture of where this opportunity lies. And it's not with Iron Tribe and it's not in Georgia. We will quickly be wrapping up this chapter in our lives. I don't see this as starting over, but of making what God has created even better. I am being given s the opportunity to pour what we've learned into the next generation.
What is another skill of great artists? Creating emotion...lots of emotion. With all the changes in our lives, I don't pretend to understand the plan. I don't pretend to think I have my life figured out. And I don't pretend to act like all this change is easy. Change is very difficult for the emotional basket case God created me to be. But I do know this...emotion is often the driving force behind motivation, both positive and negative. I'm using the brush strokes God is painting as motivation to be positive and to take on my new role with enthusiasm - to see the beauty in the life ahead and know that it will be the most captivating and creative thing I've ever seen. I absolutely love my colorful life.
The artist is not finished with me yet...
