Let's Get Rapturous--Clothing a Plus

Not enough time in the schedule to get to the creative stuff?

A "to-do" list that does you in?

This week I've spoken to three people who just can't get to their happy place.  No matter how hard they work or organize their lives, there's no answering the call to do something that is creative or purely for joy's sake.

It made me think about this trip to Haiti—when it came up, I thought of all the reasons this wasn't a good time. But the reality is it might never be a good time—that's the thought that sent me straight for the malaria tablets.

All of which led me to think:  why worry about the BIG Rapture—you know, that time (some believe) when we'll have no choice but to answer to God's beckoning—up, up, and away we'll go! 

Why don't we think in terms of little earthly raptures instead?

Maybe while you're making dinner tonight, the urge will strike to pull out your watercolors and paint.  Usually when this happens, you finish making dinner, eating dinner, and cleaning up after dinner, but by then, the urge is plum tuckered-out.  What if instead, you raptured yourself out of the kitchen PRONTO and into your studio and painted!  When the hungry came calling, they could finish making that Tortellini Alfredo or call for pizza.

Regardless, I'm fairly certain everyone would survive. 

And your joy would permeate the household—in theory, anyway.

Being raptured for joyous undertakings should be considered a legitimate use of time and supported by ones family.  Encouraged even.

"I was raptured."—words both sexes should practice saying!

she:  did you change the oil?—it was on your "honey-do" list.

he:  I was raptured.
she:  your spleen ruptured?
he:  no.  I was raptured.
she:  oh, raptured…I hope the neighbors weren't watching…

(If nothing else, the concept could lead to interesting conversations.)

Because here's the crux of it:  from where does the call to be creative or the call to give come?    

And from whom?

These two areas—creating and giving, are places God calls/talks to us.  Creating, because that's what He does and we're made in His image, and giving because look at all He's given to us.  These seem to be languages of His.  Maybe there are times we really can't answer—like during brain surgery (either performing or receiving), or the twelve hours before our taxes are due.  Uncle Sam is not moved by God's communiqués. 

I'm willing to bet, though, there are lots of less important activities that can be dropped for a temporary rapturing of your spirit.  If I had it to do again, I'd teach my children the concept from the get-go.  Help them learn to enjoy it for themselves.

This world has too tight a hold of too many of us.

I'd love to hear about your experience should you decide to try this out. 

Pictures are a bonus.

All in Goodwill,

~Lisa