Creating Inspiration: What can I do?
The Fight Scavenger Hunt 1.4 - Guest Blog by Chrissy L Whitten
Our favorite Dorothy - Grace supporting and celebrating with us back in May 2010!
Lilian Grace on her one-month birthday!
There are so many things I could say about a special girl who is now a woman twelve years since my Lilian Grace entered the world. Grace Reber was a decade old starting to pave her way—showing others that her trisomy 21, would not define her. She would push walls back surrounding her and prove she could do anything. She’s been blessed with an amazing support system. God knew who she needed and vice versa.
My first inspirational creation that involved Grace was her reading journey. Her amazing mom, Bonnie Reber, thought outside the pages and created books about Grace to share with others and encourage Grace to read. Back in 2010, Grace was two years younger than Lilian would be right now. It’s crazy to think Grace is now officially an adult in her twenties.
Her tribe has been extremely supportive in creating space and opportunities for Grace to thrive and grow in her creative moments through painting. I have been fortunate to get some cards from her many collections. I've bought a couple of sets of her Christmas series. Her smile lights up the world and the lives around her. She even shows off her sassy side when working from time to time.
I love that her mom didn’t let a diagnosis or challenging times keep her and Grace from spreading their wings to fly in the journey. GracePlace Art brings people joy and inspires not only myself but others to keep moving forward and using what gifts God has given each of us.
If you haven’t seen her masterpieces, you are in for a treat. Do yourself a favor and check out her portfolio and videos. If you are having a bad day, it won’t take long for Grace’s spirit and skills to turn it around.
Learn from Grace and her tribe, don’t settle for what you are given. Soar about the naysayers and what you think is normal. Perhaps, we are the odd balls who need to stop and learn from others who are gifted differently. Things will change in life, but we have to be willing to adjust and slow our roll.
Time reveals it all. I’m starting to grasp change more efficiently while thinking outside the text box. There’s so much to this life that I would not have written for my story, but here I am, writing, editing, and sharing no matter what happens. God has brought me from the darkest places of brokenness to help me see His light blazing through the cracks when I step aside. He brings me a richer perspective, which I try to share more than not.
Grace Reber, thank you for taking chances and living your life out loud. You are a bright ray of sunlight that we all need. Your art is exactly what it needs to be and God uses it to help people. I love watching how God has unfolded our stories. His masterpieces are in the works. He knows how it will end up once He finishes with us. I can only imagine how in awe I will be looking back at the big picture. I get goosebumps seeing your art, so I can only imagine what His will do to me.
I shout Hallelujah for His goodness, for bringing us through all the changes. We’ve created space for Him to work through us. We have created inspiration. I hope it can be the gift that keeps on giving for years to come until He calls us home!
You have one more post! Now click here to find the fifth and final entry (1.5) to complete your adventure and learning on The Fight Scavenger Hunt! Don't forget to look around this host site to get to know them and learn what they are about. Before you go, make sure to write down something or someone that inspires you to keep battling and moving forward. You will email your response along with the other four responses to chrissylwhitten@gmail.com when you finish reading all five entries over the web. Not letting your circumstances or diagnosis stop you is brave and purposeful. For those going through hard times, you can be a survivor instead of a victim. God's perspective is life-giving and the way!
To learn about me and all things The Fight book and tour, please visit my website at www.chrissylwhitten.com for more. If you have just stumbled upon this scavenger hunt here, please go to the very first blog post, From Giving to Building on my website to start from the beginning.
Chrissy L Whitten
Award-Winning Author
