There are a few things that I enjoy about life.

• A good pair of vintage boots.
• A caramel macchiato with soy milk (and most recently for health reasons, decaf).
• A “solving the world’s problems” conversation with a good friend.
• A Six Flag’s roller coaster.
• A song that makes me cry with relief, because that’s how I feel, too.
• A night off after a finished project.
• Taking pictures of my kitten, Aslan.

Note the last one. I am in love with this kitten. I love cats and kittens of all shapes and sizes, but not until Aslan came into my life, did I realize how much I love especially this kitten. All other kitties must bow in comparison to this little guy. He is vicious and loving. Named after the words of C.S. Lewis from the Chronicles of Narnia, “Aslan isn’t tame but he is good.” I credit my friend, Jessica, for revealing the perfect name. When I say perfect name, I exaggerate not. This kitten plays fierce, purrs loudly, but when he loves, he loves with his entire being. Cuddles with him at the end of the day are looked forward to.

Anyone would think I have a baby! But since having him in my life, I have slept better, written better songs, and felt less like I’m home alone. Overall, my temperament has leveled out. I’m not as stressed as I used to be.

I am entirely grateful to God for this little guy and am so happy that he is in my life. On Monday, he turns 10 weeks old. I’ve had him since 6 weeks. It’s been one of the best months of this year. Being less stressed out has been a plus about this guy. He could probably be one of the most popular cats in Dallas right. I wouldn’t doubt it.

Here’s to the little guy who likes to climb up on my lap underneath my laptop.

A piece I constructed June 26, 2009.

fallen.

fumbled and fallen

yeah, maybe i’ve fallen….

but grace is greater dimension still unknown for me.

heavy and heartbroken

yeah, maybe i’m heart broken…

but scarlet and crimson is the yet to be discovered Healer of all.

tattered and torn

yea, maybe i’m torn….

but better than a bandaid, is One restoring my ever bleeding heart.

and Peace be my friend through this tormenting fright.

and Love be closer than my blankets surrounding.

and Jesus, light my heart that ever darkens my night.

Sometimes, I can be late for things. Sometimes, I can forget things. Sometimes, I can be unfaithful to things. I usually receive three different reactions from people when I portray any of these three characteristics:

1. Bethany! I can’t believe you would forget!

2. It’s okay, I understand. We all forget!

3. Ah, creative people! It’s not big deal.

Stop. Observe number 3 again. Stigma. Yes, that one. The “crutch”. At some point, someone just gave me a crutch for my deficiencies. And for a moment, a tiny, brief moment, I’ll probably rest upon it. I have “reasons” mostly for why I come up short in a certain area. But, someone introduced me to my crutch. “I’m creative! I need to breathe! I can’t be bound by time, or laws, or…. time…” Ever said something along those lines?

God is the most creative BEING in the Universe yet, He’s never needed a crutch because He doesn’t have any deficiencies. We’re humans, we think we have all the creativity in the world, we think we need a crutch, and we still think we’re perfect. This is quite hilarious. No, we’re not God, and it’s not that we should strive to be perfect either. I do believe that loving and honoring people is necessary though. If you fit in a “creative” category, I ask you to assess your heart. Because even in your passion of creativity, you must be excellent. I have to ask myself this question: is there a lack of excellence in honoring people? Because truly, honoring is a creative art in itself. Subjective in ways, but objective in delivery.

I’m learning to never ever use the stereotype of being a “creative person” as a crutch for being lazy, forgetful, or unfaithful. I have been created in the image of God, the Creator of all. He has never and will never need those things as a crutch because everything He does is combined with perfection, faithfulness, and passion.

I just pray to become more like Him.