Thanks and Two Blue Cards, with a Side of Discernment by Nausea

First up, THANKS to Charlotte, who sent lovely cards for Karen’s Card Shop. They are beautiful and so very appreciated! 

Next up, the blue…because you’re here for cards, not nausea.

Today’s two cards use the darker shades of blue. Blue is my favorite color, and my favorite color combination is blue and green, but I’m much more likely to use medium to pale shades instead  The sympathy card uses a delightfully elderly Papertrey sentiment (heat embossed in white) and some watercolor brushstroke stamps (also elderly Papertrey). I used a very dark blue ink and spritzed the inked stamp with water. Simple, as most sympathy cards are, but impactful. 

Next up, an equally high-contrast card. To make the blue circles, I have no idea what I did. This card was made months ago when I was experimenting with different ways to create graduated colors. I’m not sure why the bling looks so dark except to say my photo editing skills are not the bomb. Anyway, I have several friends who really love the beach and for whom this card will be perfect!

And now for the nausea. 

Not sure who coined the term “discernment by nausea,” but whoever it was knew a thing or two about the Holy Spirit. The following text exchange happened today:

What doesn’t come across in the text is how my stomach lurched with the request. God doesn’t want us to sit still in our faith but to grow it, and often, His call is to something that’s really quite scary. I like to think this old dog has learned a few tricks, and one is to trust the Holy Spirit when it taps me on the shoulder, especially if it scares me. Because it’s not about me. It’s about worshipping a God who loves us, cherishes us, and wants us to speak that truth with love. 

And Lord knows I can speak. Often, it’s the shutting up that’s the challenge. 

Have you ever experienced discernment by nausea? It doesn’t have to be within a faith context for those of you who aren’t religious. Opportunities to do stuff that scares us 

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,

Susan