inspiration.

i would consider myself a creative person, often inspired by many things. the beauty in creation, things i see in people, things i create, things i read , music i listen to, God, anything really.

lately though i have found myself "creatively constipated". a funny way of putting it, but quite honestly that's how it feels. anytime i go to write, or draw, or listen, or even deliberately open my eyes to see, it's like nothing comes. i try but, nothing.

so the other day i started asking this question, what inspires?

i came across this scripture today...

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." ~2 Tim 3:16-17

God inspires. at least i realized in that moment once again what i already knew, that ultimately it's God who inspires me, because in all those things that i find inspiration and can respond creatively to, it's because God has revealed something to me.

am i still "creatively constipated"? i guess we'll see....

*Photo taken by Sophia Dorozio

distance.

well friends, as you can see it's been a while since i last wrote something for my blog. why you may wonder? well i have been going through a HEAP of change the past few months. now change is no reason not to write, so i apologize for being so "distant".

but i'm back, living in canada now with the most amazing man in the world...stephen john bryde, my husband! yup, i was married this summer and it's wonderful being married, challenging, confronting, full of love, wonderful.

so anyway...i'm back and no longer keeping a distance.

*if you are interested in reading about our wedding day or seeing wedding photos you can check out... www.amandaandstephen.com (click on "news" and there you go!)

leaving...

there are so many things that come coupled with this action. it depends on the setting and context which determines the outcome. you may be leaving a party, or even just the room, but as soon as other people are involved one's presence is almost always missed.

i'm starring into the face of leaving something that's just a bit more difficult than exiting a room full of people. i'm leaving a home, a family, and closer than close friendships that i have come to rely on for daily life. i'm walking away from one dream onto the next. how does one even begin to describe how this feels? why do it then you may ask? to be honest at times lately i have even wondered that myself, why would i leave something i love and know and am comfortable doing?

but then i remember Peter. Peter was just a man, a man who while on that boat i'm sure was quite comfortable doing what he knew, what he had loved, fishing. until that night he looked out and saw Jesus walking on the water. full of emotion, fear, excitement, shock, awe, wonder, curiosity, and i'm sure much more he did it...what so many of us long to do so often yet at times fail to. he stepped out of the boat to walk along the water with Jesus. in faith, pure, honest faith (and hope) he took that step. that's why i'm leaving, to take that step of courage, to go wherever, to trust, to grow, to see new things and face new challenges. it hurts yes, but i'm trusting that the pain is worth it...