The first day of spring is on the horizon.
I journaled this page to celebrate its coming as I reflected on journeys, seasons, and the endurance required to persevere.
On my journey, recently, I’ve felt both impatient and so weary that I wanted to quit. Recognizing these emotions revealed the fruit that is being grown in me in this season – patience and faithfulness.
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Faithfulness requires patience, which is a calm endurance that believes in God’s perfect timing. No matter the length of the journey and the obstacles we will encounter, the fact remains – we will get there. There is a promised destination and it is near.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” [Ecclesiastes 3:1]
Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
Romans 13:11
Process and products used:
These pages in the NIV Journal the Word Bible (New Testament pocket bible) feature the following products by Creative Worship Stamps. These are affiliate links, please see the Privacy Policy for details.
- Spring Blossoms stamp set
- Blooming Tulips stamp set
- Mindful Magnolias stamp set
- Damask Pattern stencil
These pages are so pretty and were a joy to create!
I started with the tulips. I used the Blooming Tulips set to stamp the images onto mixed media paper. I coloured them with watercolour paint. After they dried, I cut them out by hand, but there are coordinating die sets available.
Next, I worked on the background. I applied sage green ink through the Damask Pattern stencil using a blending brush. I applied more ink on the bottom, so that it is darker, and softened upwards from there. Then, I applied more ink over the pages to give more colour to the page, as well as reduce the contrast to the white paper. I also highlighted the text on the left page in the same way.
I glued the tulips to the page. Then I stamped another tulip from the Spring Blossoms set around the pages.
Next, I stamped the words about spring from the Spring Blossoms set. Then, I stamped the sentiments from Mindful Magnolias onto sticker paper, cut them out, and adhered them to the page. I outlined them using a coordinating coloured marker and a black pen.
I finished by splattering some of the red watercolour paint over the tulips and on the left page as well. Then, I splattered some diluted white acrylic paint over that as well.
Be encouraged
🎶 Turn to Jesus ~ Katy Nichole
Being solely focused on the promised joy ahead, that is the destination, can lead to frustration and impatience. I’m reminded upon waking this morning to this song, not to miss the joy that comes from walking each day of this journey with Jesus.
There is strength to endure in the peace and joy found in His presence.
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God
Hebrews 12:2
I seem to journal on this topic around this time of year. See this related post from last year – Endure patiently.
