"The First Artist" Reflections on and Summary of Chapter One of "The Hidden Art of Homemaking" by Edith Schaeffer

Chapter Summary:

Who was the first Artist?  Who was the first to create beauty? The first words of the Bible state, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1. God was the first artist. He imagined the colors, sculpted the mountains, composed the music of the wind, ocean, and birds. He filled the earth with not only good things to eat, but things pleasant to look at. He designed the heavens: stars, moon, sun, galaxies seen and unseen.When we consider all that He has made, we can't help but notice that beauty matters to God.

Why does beauty matter to God? Why didn't He just create all things functional and practical? Because God's art communicates. It communicates something about who He is. "The heavens declare the glory (greatness) of God, and the skies show His handiwork." Psalm 19:1. There is something about seeing the beauty of creation that sparks awe and wonder. I have experienced this feeling of "awe" many times, but one time I remember in particular was when I visited Crater Lake for the first time. There was something about that place that absolutely took my breath away, and I couldn't help but wonder at the majesty of the One who created it.

When God created man, He said, "Let us make man in Our image" Genesis 1:26. It is an amazing thing to consider that we were made in the image of God. When I think of God, I think: loving, kind, good, faithful, forgiving...and I understand that I was created to be all those things, but for some reason, "creative" is not something that I remember that God is. We were made to be like him; we were made in the image of the Creator. Being creative actually demonstrates that we were made in His image!

Creating is not one of those optional things that we should let ourselves do only if everything "essential" is done.We were actually designed to create. It is part of who God made us to be, and when we create beauty, we are, on a smaller scale, "declaring the glory of God."

Reflection:

I really got a lot out of this chapter. When I realized that I was made to create, it confirmed what I was already thinking: creating really does keep me sane. It is essential, and I need to allow myself time to create. I get so caught up in what needs to be done that I forget to enjoy the journey. I think a lot of moms feel this way...that they don't have time to be creative...they are just surviving...I've been there (today I got all three kids bathed and myself a shower and consider that a MAJOR accomplishment!) ; but I've found that when I take the time to create beauty: when I practice the piano, cook something elaborate, sew a quilt, plant a garden, write out my thoughts...there is refreshing that takes place, and I can't help but feel like this is what I was made for.

The next chapter is called, "What is Hidden Art?"  Hopefully I'll get to that next week! :)