For the better part of this year, my life has been filled with creative endeavors.  In January my husband had a one man art show, which included some of my poetry.  In March I restarted writing a novel which had been lost to me in cyberspace.  I finished it in June and it’s close to being edited and ready for publication.  For the past month or so, I’ve been taking on a new persona as Ozella Meeks in “Southern Fried Nuptials,” a wonderful sequel to “Southern Fried Funeral.”

I have been blessed to be able to express myself in the arts and so has my husband.  For us, it has been a way of life and an extension of our working years.  Some would say, “You are so lucky to have a hobby that you love,” and that’s true, but it has also contributed to our livelihood.  Thankfully God always provides for us in the nick of time.

The beauty of our journey is not what we’ve created through our work, but how God has blessed us through the gifts He’s given us.  We can escape the world around us in a way.  I, through acting, can take on a different personality and live temporarily as someone totally unlike myself.  My husband can splash paint on a canvas, a wall or a building creating something for others to enjoy for a lifetime.

This, however,  is a temporary residence for both of us.  We know that the world is filled with turmoil, hatred, anger and corruption.  We also know that we’re here for just a short time.  We could let all the junk that comes with living here eat us up and spit us out, but what would we gain from that?  Our real home lies in the future when we reach heaven.  In the meantime, we’re simply passing through.  It isn’t important what we leave behind, other than being able to share the legacy of God’s grace.  All the things we do here will be forgotten.  I just hope there’s a stage in heaven.  I know there will be amazing places to paint.

God’s plans are always good. Our travels through life are not always going to be easy, but we have hope in the perfection of an eternity in heaven.