let’s count it all joy

welcome!

Welcome to May!

This month’s mailer is centered on casting our cares on the Lord. It’s a theme I meet and consider daily. I’m guessing it’s a regular theme in your life too.

Big or small, tiny or external, our own or those that lie heavy on the people we love - our lives are never without concern and burden.

There are times when I quickly and readily take my cares to Him. There are other times when I “hold on” to my worries, feel like I have to wait to bring them to Him until I have a proper amount of time to pray, or know the right words to pray. And sometimes I simply fail to remember that everything is in His hands.

But, always, our help comes from Him. When we turn to Him and His Word in our anxiety and despair, He will carry it for us.

The Bible has much to say about this. We are reminded through Psalms and Biblical narratives and outright told through the words of Jesus and His apostles, that we can cast our cares on Him. He promises to sustain us.

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Some words about the artwork in this month’s mailer:

You might notice a hint of weaving or nets through several pieces. As I read through the verses I chose for this month’s theme, I thought about the physical action of casting a net into the water and the idea of Jesus being our safety net. He listens to our prayers - catching them and holding them (and us) safely in His care. I also thought about His obvious provision (and power!) as He filled the nets of the disciples.

Flowers and birds kept finding their way into my thoughts and into the work, as well. I continually returned to thoughts of God’s provision and care for us - even greater than that which he gives the flowers of the fields and the birds of the skies. I love the idea of letting these daily bits of beauty act as reminders to us of His care and sustenance.

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Your mailer includes ten little bits of goodness that I hope will bring your faith and your joy in Jesus to mind whenever you see or use them. More than anything, I would love for you to USE the goods from this mailer - to weave them into your projects and your personal devotions, to add color to your spaces, or to gift them to others and in so doing pass on Jesus’ love.

on this special “subscribers only” page, you will find:

• A video showing the ways I’ve used the products in this month’s mailer.

• Some additional quotes on casting our cares on the Lord.

• A verse and scripture-section list.

• Images showcasing the ways I used the products.

• Journaling prompts.

• A prayer.

• Links to all supporting supplies that I used (sketchbooks, frames, art supplies, etc.). Please note that many, but not all of the supply links are affiliate links. And if I missed anything you are curious about, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask.

PROJECT VIDEO

VERSEs

Job 11:18

Psalm 23:1-5

Psalm 34:4, 17

Psalm 46:1

Psalm 55:22

Psalm 94:19

Isaiah 41:10

Matthew 11:28-30

John 14:27

Philippians 4:6-7

1 Peter 5:7

quotes on casting cares

“Cast your cares on God; that anchor holds.” -Frank Moore Colby

“Leave it all in the hands that were wounded for you.” Elisabeth Elliot

“Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” -C.S. Lewis

“Have we trials or temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged - take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness - take it to the Lord in prayer.” Joseph Scriven (What A Friend We Have In Jesus, verse 2)

“Faith is the only thing I know of that is stronger than fear.” -Anonymous

“Wait, then, in quiet confidence, Your anxious thoughts at rest. God knows your needs before you ask and works for what is best. Be still, my soul, before the Lord; on God in patience wait. God’s love, unseen, surrounds your life; God’s help will not be late.” -Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr. (Be Still, My Soul, before the Lord, Verses 2 and 3)”

When you are worried, don’t repress it, suppress it, or deny it. Instead, confess it. Talk to God about it.” -Rick Warren

“Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He's sufficient for all of our needs. When I accepted this as an absolute truth in my life, I found that my worrying stopped.” -Charles Stanley

journaling prompts

I process my thoughts (and pray!) through writing. Perhaps you do too. If this is something you haven’t tried before, I would encourage you to give it a go. Sometimes, a little prompt is all it takes to get started.

1. I am really struggling with…

2. What does it look like to surrender your cares to God?

3. Explore your physical reaction following prayer and giving your burdens to God.

4. A verse I want to dwell on today is…

5. What does God’s peace mean to you? How do you visualize it? How can it counteract your anxieties?

6. One way I live out God’s strength in my life is…

7. Copy your favorite “casting your cares” quote from above and write a related prayer.

8. If you are struggling through something, how do you think God wants you to respond?

9. Write about a time when you felt God’s peace in the midst of hardship?

10. What material needs and worldly concerns cause you anxiety? Write a prayer asking God to give you peace and trust in those areas / for those provisions.

SUPPLIES I USED alongside THIS MONTH’S MAILER CONTENTS

Journals:

EMSHOI dotted journal (my commonplace book journal)

Travelers notebook.

Other ephemera used in my journal - from my currently on-hiatus 100 Day Project (100 Days of Joyful Printables!)

Art Journaling Supplies:

Here is a list of my favorite and most-often used art journaling supplies.

Frames:

Frames I have used and would recommend can be found on my Amazon shop framing page.

If there’s something I missed, don’t hesitate to ask!