I was so excited to receive this beautiful book (Meditations by Lorien Atwood) a few weeks ago. Sadly, I was one week post surgery on my right shoulder at the time, and as much as I claim to be vaguely ambidextrous, the thought of getting stuck into it with my left hand was all too much.
Over the past couple of weeks since the book has been released, I have followed along on the Facebook Group 'Colouring In Truth', watching beautiful images emerge as people have spent time in God's word, putting time aside to meditate on the truth. All this time I was itching to get started on my own interpretations.
Finally, my arm was out of the sling and I could begin without fear of too much wobbly out of the line actions...I am a perfectionist in some things...surprisingly, colouring in is one of those things. So it was a great joy to have enough movement (and confidence) to get started.
Now, I have been a fan of adult colouring long before it became cool. In fact, colouring in or doodling is something we use to encourage the participants in our training courses to do to assist concentration. It has also been something that I have been able to do when Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has left me unable to do much at all!! So, it definitely falls into the 'What to do when you can't do a thing' category for all those struggling with life with a chronic illness.
What is different about this book is that instead of mindlessly being mindful colouring in some random pattern or picture, this book provides something to actually meditate on when colouring. A timely redirection in a hustling busy overwhelming world. After having a pretty average couple of weeks following moving house, shoulder surgery and a major Chronic Fatigue flare I felt it was only appropriate to focus on this verse in Lamentations as my starter...
There are also some pretty cool features of this book...removable pages, one sided images, thicker weight paper, and free downloads once you have purchased the book. There is also an option to purchase group licences of images for event use. If you want to delve deeper into the passages and the thoughts behind them Lorien has begun blogging about them here.
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| Meditations by Lorien Atwood |
Finally, my arm was out of the sling and I could begin without fear of too much wobbly out of the line actions...I am a perfectionist in some things...surprisingly, colouring in is one of those things. So it was a great joy to have enough movement (and confidence) to get started.
Now, I have been a fan of adult colouring long before it became cool. In fact, colouring in or doodling is something we use to encourage the participants in our training courses to do to assist concentration. It has also been something that I have been able to do when Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has left me unable to do much at all!! So, it definitely falls into the 'What to do when you can't do a thing' category for all those struggling with life with a chronic illness.
What is different about this book is that instead of mindlessly being mindful colouring in some random pattern or picture, this book provides something to actually meditate on when colouring. A timely redirection in a hustling busy overwhelming world. After having a pretty average couple of weeks following moving house, shoulder surgery and a major Chronic Fatigue flare I felt it was only appropriate to focus on this verse in Lamentations as my starter...
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
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| Lamentations 3:22-23 |
Anyway, I am itching to get into more of this book...however, my shoulder is currently being slow to allow!
So maybe for those like me one of the next verses for the second book should be...
'Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer"
Romans 12:12
Meditations can be purchased at www.lorien-illustrations.com.
