The laundry was still sitting piled on top of our bed. The dishes from the week were scattered around the sink and counter. But there I was in my office, spreading out my faith Happy Planner, sorting through printables, stickers and washi tape, picking out the prettiest verse cards for my junk journal.

You know that low hum of guilt that follows you around the house? The one whispering you haven't earned a break yet? I almost listened. I almost put all the crafty supplies away and grabbed the laundry basket instead.

But then I stopped. My husband reminded me that the to do list will never be finished. He encouraged me to pause and go play in the office and have FUN.

Creativity doesn't wait for a clean kitchen.

“Creative play is not a reward for getting everything done. It is a moment to rebel against the to do list and have some fun.”

— -Hillary Krippaehne-Fernandez

What My Faith Junk Journal Taught Me

My faith Happy Planner junk journal saved me this week. After a busy month, I needed to pause and reset. I needed to not worry about filming the set up process for YouTube. I needed to just play at the desk.

Your hands were made to create, not just to check boxes on a to do list.

Here is what hit me: pausing, spending time with the Lord, writing Bible verses down, printing photos from the past months, junk journaling, and being creative is worship. It is also a tiny rebellion, because the world keeps telling you that you are only valuable when you are producing.

You are allowed to make something messy and beautiful before the laundry is folded.

God is the Best Artist & Creative

Don’t forget that from the very beginning, creativity belonged to God. God created the whole earth and everything in it! In Genesis 1:27, you read that you were created in God’s image. That means the creative spark within you is not accidental. The Lord is the ultimate Creator: He painted sunsets, formed mountains, designed flowers, and filled the earth with beauty and detail.

When you sit down with your journal, arrange your Creative Faith printables across a page, write Scripture, or create something meaningful with your hands, you are reflecting a tiny piece of His nature. Creativity is one of the ways you mirror the heart of the Creator and delight in spending time with Him.

Your Permission Slip

Here is your permission slip.

You don't have to earn the creative break. You don't have to clear the sink, mop the floors, or fold and put away all the clothes before you sit down with something that lights you up.

Pick one thing over the next 7 days. Maybe it's ten minutes with a journal and printables. Maybe it's a Bible verse written in your favorite pen. Maybe it's pulling out the watercolors you bought six months ago and finally cracking the lid.

Set a timer for ten minutes. Put your phone in another room, release perfectionism and guilt, light a beeswax candle, make a cup of hot chocolate, and spend some time with the Lord while getting creative.

Journal prompts:

What is one creative thing I have been longing to return to lately? What would it look like to sit with the Lord there without the guilt or pressure to be productive?
If creativity can be an act of worship, what might God be inviting me to create, notice, or enjoy in this season?
What is one action I am going to take this weekend based on what I just read?