Peaceful Cleanup: Day 24 OBS

Busy December has officially arrived, and we’re one day away from wrapping up this online Bible study.  It’s kind of funny to think about cleaning up when I’m still decorating, but if I plan ahead for a good cleanup attitude, I will gain peace in busy December.  I have purchased Sarah Mae’s book, Having a Martha Home the Mary Way, to learn better methods for containing clutter.  I can’t commit to cleaning up using her full method yet—that can wait for January.  Yet, I plan to take a few tips from the book, such as cleaning my kitchen clean daily and rewarding myself with a Christmas cookie (yay!) after hard work.

When I’m cleaning, I pass by my beautiful prints from Ruth Chou Simons in my home.  They remind me to pause for peace in my quest to restore order to my home.

I am blessed to introduce you to Ruth today in an interview.  Please visit her site to view her gorgeous artwork.

Ruth Chou Simons is an artist, writer, entrepreneur, and speaker. She is the creator of the GraceLaced online art shoppe, blog, and the popular Instagram community where she shares scriptural truths daily through honest words and her hand-painted artwork. Ruth and her husband, Troy, live in Colorado and are grateful parents to six sons—their greatest adventure. (Since this interview was released, Ruth has published several books, including Gracelaced and Garden of Truth, two of my favorite reads!)

Ruth’s passion is to see God’s Word proclaimed and the Gospel adorned through the reflecting of His handiwork in creation. She longs to encourage women to preach the truth of God’s Word to themselves, and is honored to use her words and artwork to do so. You can find her work at GraceLaced.com/store, and daily snippets at instagram.com/gracelaced.

Q: In your work as an artist, how do you strive to bring peace to others?

My priority in painting has always been to reflect the beauty of the Creator. I believe that belief in Christ is the means by which we experience perfect peace- through the beauty of His death and resurrection on my behalf. Ultimately, it is my hope that my artwork is a reflection of God’s work through creation and it spurs others on to love Him more.

Q: This Christmas, how are you planning to create peaceful memories with your family?

I am choosing to rest this Christmas season. Because the shoppe is busy during the holiday season, and because my deadlines to turn in my manuscript and art for my first book are early December, I plan to spend the Christmas break resting with my family. We are spending the holiday up in our cabin in Colorado, where we will be removed from the normal grind of school and work, where we can enjoy simple pleasures like a wood burning stove, early mornings on the porch, and time preparing meals together.  I can’t imagine a more peaceful, relaxing Christmas with my husband and six boys!

Q: In what ways has God been faithful to you in 2016, and in what areas do you see God granting you peace in 2017?

God is faithful, in more ways that we often realize. This past year, our family experienced some loss and heartbreaks, some changes we didn’t anticipate. And as our business has grown this past year, God has been so faithful to remind me that He is merciful and kind, both in good and hard times. This year has brought unity and comfort to our family, even in the midst of unknowns. We look forward to 2017 being a peaceful year, not because life is settled and predictable, but because we know who holds all things together for our good.

Ruth’s faith, creativity, and honesty inspire me, and I hope you will enjoy her products as much as I do!  Please let me know what items you choose from her shoppe in the comments.

Questions for you:

If Christmas cleanup gets you down, what different angle can you take this year to bring your heart more peace?  I have lots of tips in my book if you need help!

When you visited Ruth’s online shoppe, which product did you like best and why?  And if you ordered it, please comment here!

Please head over to Day 25 now to learn about peaceful reflection during the Christmas season.

Our theme verse for this week:

Find the printable Bedside Reminder Card of this verse here.

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