Exodus 19:5

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. Exodus 19:5

My art challenge this week, #8, is something new in fibers.  I made handmade paper. 

I've seen it for years and thought it was a major process that had to be done with very special tools and equipment.  I have always loved seeing the specks of flowers and leaves in it.  A few summers ago, I took a painting class that met just before a fibers class.  I was intrigued by their paper making project.  I asked a lot of questions of students who were in that class.  When special screens and rollers were mentioned, I again thought it was out of my realm to ever make my own.  However, when my oldest son made handmade paper this past year in his art class at high school, he told me all about it and how easy it was to do.  I began surfing the net and found a great video that made it look easy and doable, even at home.  Materials like an old picture frame, old window screen, and a blender were things I had already.  I didn’t have to purchase a thing.  This paper is truly a special treasure to me, as I have bits of dried roses in it from a bouquet my husband gave me last Valentine’s Day.  I keep holding the paper, studying it, amazed that I really made it all by myself. ….a special treasure….It makes me reflect on that verse from Exodus.  It’s read by our minister twice a month (he reads the Ten Commandments each Sunday, either from Deuteronomy or Exodus, and begins with reading a few other verses).  I’m always in awe each time I hear (and read) that if I obey His voice, I will be a special treasure to Him.  I am uniquely made, just as each of these papers, handcrafted by God, (Psalm 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb)….a special treasure to Him.  And thankfully, because of Christ’s shed blood on the cross (not my ability to keep the commandments -Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God) I am a special treasure to God….by His grace.