Video – Sunday’s ART of Truth – “When you tell your STORY…” – Feb 25, 2024

Video – https://youtu.be/u9H_aCmHvZQ

Hello friends,

Today, we are creating on this 10 x 10 MDF board. The quote or this piece resonates deeply with me and inspired this creative piece.

“When you can tell your story, and it doesn’t make you cry…you know you have been healed”

I want to talk a little bit about why it is meaningful right now.

As some of you know, my ex son-in-law was in a terrible car accident a little over a week ago. This was a man who was a part of our family for 15 years. He hurt our daughter and their sons very much. It has been a tumultuous season, to say the least. The emotions are complex for all involved.

As the week and the events unfolded, I was talking with my daughter about many important things. Supporting her, encouraging her, and listening to her as she navigates the complexity of the situation with her ex as well as her children and her husband. The details of that are not what is important here. I merely wanted to provide a context for the inspiration I am sharing here.

Often, I walk away from conversations feeling like I had no right to speak that truth, or give that advice, or encourage about how to have a relationship with a spouse. 9 times out of 10, I feel like complete illegitimate poop. I feel like a fraud, or subpar in those areas.

You see, my journey to heal from my personal story and experiences took me over 30 years. There were times when I was very absent for my kids. My journey broke my husband and effected my kids in big ways. I am grateful for the man God gave me because he was always there to fill in when I was unable or when I was not wanting to live. He was everything. He was patient and kind and never gave up. Unfortunately, he lost himself in that. He was broken.

While we love each other and we couldn’t imagine life apart, our lives will never be the same. I can’t undo what my healing journey cost those around me. I can’t give back to him what was lost. I can’t go back and be the wife he needed. I can’t undo anything. I work daily to be present. To sit with my best friend every day over dinner. We share our day, we share our struggles, we laugh, and sometimes we have tears.

I say all that to say that as the events with our daughter’s ex unfolded this week, I had a meaningful conversation with my daughter. I listened and I shared my heart. I was mom. I was me. The following day, I had a conversation with my husband as we were sharing how different he is from other men. He is not typical in any way. I meant it as a compliment, but he reminded me that it is because he was broken. Not only through our journey, but also his own childhood.  In the past, those words about his brokenness and the direct correlation with the losses that he experienced in his love for me would have pierced me straight to my heart. I would have gone into a cycle of self-assassination. I would have allowed it to undermine my heart, my intentions, my wisdom, and my ability to help and encourage others. I would have been beating myself up for days.

But…this time, it didn’t happen.

I was able to hold both truths at the same time. Yes, my journey impacted my husband and kids in ways that I cannot undo, but I am still worthy. I am still valuable. I have wisdom from the things that I went through. I am imperfect, but my heart is pure.

I have gifts. I have wisdom given to me through God. I have learned so much over the 30 plus years of turmoil and brokenness. I don’t have to keep apologizing to myself or anyone else about my story or my journey. I can give advice to my daughter knowing that I am imperfect.

I don’t know if any of you can relate to what I am sharing. To make this connection and to be able to sit with it and carry these truths with me, is profound.

I didn’t cry. I didn’t beat myself up. I accept that my journey was tragic, but my life is

So, when I created this piece, I was thinking about and living out the quote – “when you can tell your story and it doesn’t make you cry, you know you have been healed.”

I was thinking about how I can think about my journey and the ways I was hurt and the ways I have hurt others, and it didn’t make me cry.

It caused celebration and some very good conversations with my husband.

My friends, we can be both. We can be a gift, a friend, a spouse, a parent, a confidante…and embrace our shortcomings, our broken places, and our lessons at the same time.

We are warriors. We are fighters. We are lovers. We are perfectly beautiful, fragile, even strong at the same time.

We have gifts to give. We have lives to touch. We are enough.

Our stories are imperfect, but we are mighty when we claim the truth of who we are.

I hope that this spoke to you in some small way my friends.

UPDATE on his status. He is doing better. He currently has pneumonia from being on the ventilator for more than a week. Hopefully, we will have a good update today (Saturday February 24)

Blessings until next time,

Beloved-Reborn

I hope you enjoy!

FULL SUPPLY LIST UNDER PHOTOS!

Supplies used:

Digital Image –

DecoArt Crackle Paint – DecoArt.com

Shawn Petite Stencils – Layered Up Tiles & Flowers – https://shop.shawnpetite.com/Layered-up-3-tiles-and-flowers-stencil-8×10-p444088310

Shawn Petite Stencils – Layered Up 4 – https://shop.shawnpetite.com/Layered-up-4-crosses-stencil-8×10-p444072817

Stamperia Rice Paper – I cannot locate this paper. It is several years old. Here is a link to the shop I love that sells rice paper – https://www.etsy.com/shop/ASCsupplies?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=964365946&from_page=listing&search_query=stamperia%2Brice%2Bpaper&page=2#items

 Rice Paper – Jack Richesons – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VEP7WY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Golden Fluid Acrylics – Raw Umber, Iridescent Gold Fine, Burnt Umber Light, Cobalt Turquoise, Nickel Azo Yellow – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=golden+fluid+acrylic+paint&crid=TA5XHZCRZ1EL&sprefix=golden+fluid+ac%2Caps%2C1258&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_15

Liquitex Fluid Matte Medium – https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Matte-Medium-8-Ounce/dp/B000IYWYNE/ref=sr_1_3?crid=30FI0W8XIGTIO&keywords=liquitex+fluid+matte+medium&qid=1705870882&sprefix=liquitex+fluid+matte+med%2Caps%2C1033&sr=8-3

Liquitex Flexible Modeling Paste – https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Flexible-Modeling-Medium/dp/B001URWM12/ref=sr_1_1_pp?crid=315Z5ED4ZB3VH&keywords=liquitex+flexible+molding+paste&qid=1705870803&sprefix=liquitex+fle%2Caps%2C2800&sr=8-1