Day Five
Ingenious - Proficient
Proverbs 31:13...She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it]...
...inventive...clever...resourceful...skillful...talented...witty...
Tide Cakes. Yes, that's right, Tide Cakes. These scrumptious looking cakes are made from Tide laundry soap powder and water. When my sister Debbie and I were younger, we would take Mom's Tide, add some water and make a paste...not too thick, not too runny. Then we would put it in our toy pans and place it in the sun to dry. After a time, the paste mixture would harden and we would use these cakes for our 'dinner' while playing house...Inventive!
Rachael, our daughter, had kitchen duty one night. Her job was to clean up the dinner dishes and then she could go out and play. Looking out of the kitchen window, you could see the park that was directly behind our house. Some of her friends were already playing on the swings, so she decided to do the 'quick dish'. She put the dishes back in the cupboards without washing them, and then ran off to play. Her Dad discovered this scheme later when he opened the cupboard door to get a glass...Clever!?
Clint, our nephew, started coming home from school with extra change. His Mom discovered the money one day and asked him where it came from. Teri packs him a good lunch every day, adding some type of special snack. And he was selling those snacks for a profit...Resourceful!
Before the days of all the popular and fancy campers, Paul's Dad purchased an old passenger bus and converted it into a travel home. He installed bunk beds, a kitchen and even a bathroom. They traveled around the country quite a bit in that bus...Skillful!
Our sister-in-law, Jackie, has the most beautiful yard. It would remind one of the Botanical Gardens where people go to visit. I love walking through her yard in the spring and summer. She has a stone step walkway, a water fountain, bird feeders and tiered planting beds with a wide variety of flowers in glorious colors. Not only is her yard beautiful, but when you walk into her house, her skill continues to be expressed in silk floral arrangements and tasteful decorating...Talented!
I come from a large family, having 5 other siblings. In earlier years, when we all lived closer to each other and would get together for a visit, we were never at a loss for entertainment. Our youngest brother, Jeep, would oblige with different voice accents, imitations and quick come-backs. And sometimes we just laughed until tears ran down our faces...Witty!
All of these characteristics are unique creations, given to us by God. He is the Creator and the absolute definition of creativity...the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork...(Psalm 19:1). The first two chapters of the book of Genesis tells us of the beginning of creation; the first day God created...the second day God created...and so on...and God saw everything that He had made and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely (Genesis 1:31). I don't believe we can ever see and experience, in our lifetime, all the wonders that God has created.
Years ago, Paul and I lived in Utah. One weekend, we went camping with Dave and Karen, my oldest brother and his wife. We drove down to Moab, which is in the southeast part of the state. There, you can enjoy the sights and beauty of the National Arches Park. The attraction is the various rock formations, which actually have names. One such formations is aptly named, Three Wise Men, because it looks like the wise men bringing their gifts. After visiting the park, we took a detour, some 25-30 miles off the main road, and set up camp for the night in the National Canyonlands. Early the next morning, we got up and walked to the mountain rock ledge and witnessed a breathtakingly beautiful sunrise, complete with a soaring eagle flying high above the Colorado River, which runs right through the canyon.
These are things that God has created for His good pleasure and for our enjoyment, as well. But He also created us...so God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female, He created them...(Genesis 1:27). And as we are made in the image of God, we are also expressions of His creativity. I think it pleases Him to watch the ingenuity of His children. Can you imagine the Father watching a 4 year old, drawing a picture with crayons, or observing an adolescent boy trying to build something in his Dad's garage? I believe He also enjoys watching a woman sitting at her sewing machine creating a quilt, doing needlework with her hands, or a man who can take a stack of lumber and build a house. God gave us creativity. And I sometimes wonder if we lose sight of the fact that it is not just for the purpose of making money. What person doesn't like to sit back and look at the job he has just accomplished? Think of the satisfaction the Father has in watching His creation expressing Him by creating...and God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely. You know, I think He had a good chuckle over the Tide cakes!
Psalm 149:4a...for the Lord takes pleasure in His people...
A hearts' cry...Father, as we work, being inventive..,.clever...resourceful...skillful...talented...witty...may we slow down enough to enjoy Your gifts of creativity and the pleasure that it brings, but also to realize that creativity is a reflection of You...