With much inspiration, but a heart that didn't know what direction to turn, I waited. After completing two different collections in 2025, (You can check them out - AWBMN and Immerse) I wondered what this new year would look like. I didn't want to create without meaning, my heart ached for direction. As an enneagram four, the relentless drive for meaning and purpose never lets up for me. I waited for a glimmer, something I could put my finger on and explore, that would give way to meaning.
In the later half of 2025, the nudges started. Little things started coming to light and showing up repeatedly. I wrote them all down, kept track of dates and the goings on. I wanted to see how each moment of realization related to the last. The foundation of a new collection slowly came to light. My whole body was/is excited to explore where it'll go from here. To read about how the title of the new collection came to be, you can read that here.
With the first element in the collection being a pearl in a clamshell at the bottom of the sea, I wondered what the Lord would reveal to me next. In my quiet time I pondered. I continued with my daily tasks. I spent time in worship and listened intently. I read God's word, journalled my prayers and sat quietly. I was in a position of expectation now.
Mid January, on a rainy grey Monday, cozied up in my bed, I was reading my Bible, when the Lord reminded me that He loves to give His children good gifts. To those who seek Him and ask, He wants to bless. He says, what earthly Father would give their child a snake, when they asked for a fish or a scorpion, when they asked for an egg. Our Father in Heaven wants to give us even more!
(Luke 11:11-12)
After reading this my heart was prompted to google what fish, back in 25AD, would've been considered a good gift. Tilapia was considered a good fish. So, I proceeded to google images for a source. With newfound energy, I proceeded to practice sketching tilapia, collaging tilapia and considered the way I wanted to portray tilapia. Upon spending a week or more on the subject, I've grown quite fond of this fish shape. I'm quite excited to incorporate this good gift into my artworks and for the reminder that for His children, the Lord gives beautiful gifts.
This morning (January 30th) as I was praying into this blog post and what the Lord may want to say through me, I believe He gave me these words:
Jehovah Jireh, my God Provides!
He certainly has for me. He has provided the blueprints for a new collection, little by little, in portions that I can handle. He knows me better than I know myself. He gives good gifts, just like the element of a tilapia fish! May this be a reminder to you as well, to bring all the things and lay them before our Heavenly Father, for He is our ultimate provider.
Along with the tilapia in the sea, I also believe He wants to ask you, do you have an anchor? When life's storms inevitably hit you, what do you cling to? King Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life, whoever abides in me, I'll abide in them. If you feel a little nudge or a big one for that matter and aren't sure what to do next, please feel free to reach out to me. I'd love to be a soft place for you to come and encourage you gently in your journey.
One last thing to consider. Do we understand what the Lord sees as a good gift?
Amy Klutinoty put it this way:
"You wanted escape.
He gave you endurance.
You wanted relief.
He gave you grace.
You wanted understanding.
He gave you peace.
You wanted to give Him glory.
He gave you a testimony."
He hears our cries and raises us to new standards by transforming us with good gifts we didn't even know we needed. That is our Jehovah Jireh!