Terrified

Get ready for a very honest post.

I said something out loud a few days ago that stopped me in my tracks. I have always known it, but I have never said it out loud.

Sometimes I don't do what I want to do because I am terrified of what my Christian friends' reaction will be.

While to some this may sound wise, to others (or most) it sounds superficial. We live in a world that tells us not to care what others think, to be true to "yourself,"and to do what makes you happy. But as Christians we are taught to seek Christian counsel, be true to God, and do what makes God happy. Sometimes as a Christian doing what makes God happy doesn't make you happy at all... but you know it's right.

Then there are the gray areas; the areas where you aren't sure of God's will, or when your friends disagree with your interpretation. This is when I get terrified because, in all honesty, I think some of my friends are "better" than me... or "better Christians" than me.

Yep, I said it. Let's stop this down.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A "BETTER" PERSON OR A "BETTER CHRISTIAN!" We are all sinners, and God loves us all the same no matter what. So to compare myself to others is just ridiculous. Yet I do it all the time.

With that said, I love and respect my friends very much. And I value my Christian friends' advice. They are called to hold me accountable - to remind me of God's Word - or if necessary, to tell me when they think I am making a mistake. This is what crushes me, because I never want to disappoint them. I want to make everyone happy all the time...

I think you can see where this is going. I am focusing on people instead of the Lord!

At the end of my life it's only going to be me and God. The same rule applies for every decision I make... my choices are between me and God and no. one. else. Like Sara Groves sings, "When I stand before the Lord I'll be standing alone. This journey is my own. Still, I want man's advice, and I need man's approval. But this journey is my own."

Christians, listen to your friends. But listen to your heart as well. Jesus is in there. :)

I bet this is just how James Cameron imagined it.

By the way, AMC, your free passes don't make up for the fact that 15 minutes was tacked onto this already outrageously long movie while you changed bulbs.

Top Ten of the Last Ten

I am totally copying my friend Elizabeth (who copied her friend) in posting these. I'm really hoping this decade will bring those life-changing events like, oh, I don't know... getting married and having kids. :)

In chronological order:

10. 2000 - Graduated with a BFA in Studio Art from Baylor

9. 2001-2002 - Spent a year teaching art and English in Tisovec, Slovakia, and traveling around Europe

8. 2003 - Moved to Lewisville and began working for animal health company as a graphic design coordinator

7. 2005 - Moved to Irving

6. 2005 - Spent two weeks in Slovakia with a stop through London

5. 2007 - Moved to Addison and started working downtown for an architecture firm

4. 2008 - Took a leap of faith, quit my job, and began substitute teaching

3. 2009 - Started graduate school at Texas Woman's University towards an MA in Art Education

2. 2009 - Completed a body of work (paintings) that have been shown in Dallas and Frisco

1. 2009 - Landed an art teaching position at a brand-new high school and moved to Frisco

It's been good... but I'm ready to move on. I like my 30's. :)

Art Con 5 Art

I just realized I never posted the artwork I created for Art Con 5. Maybe it was because it went for $120 less than last year. Boo. :(

Here's the train.

Value

As an assignment on Friday I had my high school Art I students draw the dreaded piece of crumpled paper. We are focusing on drawing realistically and I am really pushing value- otherwise known as the value scale or shading. None of the kids really liked the assignment, but they understood the point... I think. Anyway, half-way through I hear, "Ms. Nelson, now does my drawing have enough value?" and he holds this up:


Smart alec. No, seriously. This kid's name is Alec.

The last time my Cowboys won a playoff game...

I was 18.

I had just finished my first semester at Baylor.

And the team we beat was...


The Minnesota Vikings. Oh yes.

Alright, here we go.

Starting today I am available for portrait commissions. Please click here for more information.