Have you ever seen an art curriculum or program that has you actually imitate the masters.....so you will learn how to paint or draw?  I have.  I think that is a very good way for us to learn.  Even if you don't have a program per se, you can look at someone else's work, and learn from it.  We do it every day.  Not copying for the sake of copying, but copying to learn. 

Children copy the actions and words of those around them, and for homeschool Moms and Dads, it can be a scary proposition.......we aren't always worthy of imitation.  I know I have said or done things that were less than admirable.  Even today.  BUT, our Lord is merciful and Love covers a multitude of sins.

But back to imitating the masters.  Do you find that you are inspired to greatness by your friends, your family, your husband (or wife) or by people that you don't even know personally?  I do, at least I know I want to.  I want to be inspired.  I don't want to be pulled down.......life is already hard at times, so I want to be lifted, not pulled down into the muck of the world.  Not that I feel I am worthy of the pedestal, of course.  My only desire is that God be glorified.  "If I gain any praise," the hymn says....."let it be because of Calvary." 

But how can we gain any praise, unless we do praise worthy things?  What are those things?  Is it fame and fortune?  I think not.  Is it beauty and brains?  No, not always.  Although there is much beauty in the human frame, it can be only skin deep, as the saying goes.  And brains are nice, but sometimes they fail to "compute" even where they came from.  Ah, the Master Designer.

When we were getting ready to enter our handiwork in the county fair, we had a little talk about why we were doing it in the first place.  Because we thought we could do such and such better than anyone else?  No.  Because we think we are really special and deserve recognition?  Well, not really, although I DO think my kids are special.  (So does God, by the way.) 

 We pondered the question. 

This is what we came up with;  The Creator himself took time to make beauty out of nothing.  He wasn't just creating utilitarian "things."  Each act of doing (or speaking, in fact) created an amazing array of uniqueness, of loveliness and awe inspiring sights, sounds and textures.  Reflections, height, depth, color and intensity are found all around His world, His Creation.

Shouldn't we imitate our Creator too?  He gave us gifts, let us use them......not just for fun, or folly, but to show that we too are sons and daughters of the Master.....He has taught us and has put a love of beautiful things within our hearts .....and in our hands too.

And isn't it amazing what we do; we paint a sunset, photograph a flower, or a child!  We weave fine threads from the hair of a beast (created on day 6!) And we bake scrumptious foods.......from grains and fruits that have been given to us. Like Father, Like Son and Daughter.  You can tell who we belong to by what we do.

We still need to keep our hands to the plough, I know.......but even the farmer sits awhile and creates simple things of beauty......

Be imitators of the one worthy of imitation.

Nancy

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, my rock, my fortress and my redeemer."

©Nancy K. Baetz

Homeschooling Is Life!

Related Tags: Masters, Creation, Homeschooling, Art, Creativity, Art Lessons, Parenting