by Tina Yeager
On a prayerful walk through a park with the Lord, I felt concerned about the woundedness and disconnection ravaging our world. Online work and social connections have replaced in-person fellowship as the new normal. We’ve grown so comfortable living through our virtual avatars; we now find it challenging to engage in authentic, personal communication. Face-to-face conversations can prove risky. Messy. Awkward.
Yet well-being depends upon human contact, not just digital communication. Elohim, a relational and triune God, created us for relationship. He did not design us to exist in emotional, spiritual, or physical isolation. Our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness require us to connect and engage in person. We need to upcycle our broken fellowship practices.
I asked God what might draw us back into relationships and experience healing together. Images of upcycled crafts came to mind as ways to tangibly work through restoration while gathering together around a shared project. My answer came in the form of my new book, Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose. My book serves as a tool to gather broken souls around healing messages and tangible experiences to deepen their impact. Experiences move learning across that immense space from mind to heart. Tangible projects root our growth into our hearts at a deeper level.
The Ultimate Salvager sees beyond our battered state and envisions our potential after the redesigning power of the Spirit transforms us. He makes all things better than new. Even worn and chippy folks like us. God offers us the gifts of human relationship and creative play as a superior remedies to our stress and need for engagement. We can renew together those places in our hearts that decay when neglected. We heal by connecting with the Spirit wrapped in the skin of our believer-friends. Renewal and growth occur in community. And relationships are based upon play.
As we laugh and play together in art projects, our hearts draw closer to one another.
Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose serves as a multi-layered gift. The messages guide readers toward soul-restoration. Each chapter includes an illustrative craft to keep or share with another worn and broken heart. This book-present can ribbon us together in activities, wrap us in new life, and suggest ways to pour blessings forward onto others who need hope. When we pour out the renewing truth God shares with us, our inflow of joy increases.
With each craft, I suggest mission opportunities through which participants can donate the projects to hurting souls. Examples include domestic violence shelters, veteran organizations, or homeless ministries. Sharing the evidence of grace completes our renewal.
Readers can download a free Upcycled inspirational flip book template at upcycledbook.com. You’ll get step-by-step instructions to make a giftable, weekly inspirational flip book from old greeting cards. The pages are downloadable and printable.
Visit my website, https://tinayeager.com to access craft videos and Flourish-Meant podcast episodes. You can also book life-coaching sessions or hire me as a speaker for your next event. Check out my YouTube channel for additional videos and content at https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager. Feel free to follow me on Instagram or Facebook.
Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Upcycled-Crafted-Purpose-Tina-Yeager/dp/1946708828/ and at Bold Vision Books at https://www.boldvisionbooks.com/shop/upcycled
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