Showing Up Anyway

Well... 

The lights were on this weekend, but nobody was home. 😂

You know those days where you're smiling, talking, doing all the things you're supposed to be doing, but inside your brain feels like it's trying to run through peanut butter?

That was me.

I was coming off vacation after spending a little too much time in the sun, and between the heat, Multiple Sclerosis, and my body deciding it was going to protest every movement I made, I honestly wasn't feeling like myself. I kept thinking, "Surely by Saturday I'll feel better."

Nope.

But isn't it funny how God has a way of meeting us exactly where we are?

Sometimes He doesn't ask us to feel amazing.

Sometimes He just asks us to show up.

Linglestown Liberty Fest

Saturday, although running on fumes, I was absolutely thrilled to be part of the very first Linglestown Liberty Fest.

I have a soft spot for first annual events because they feel full of possibility.🥰❤️ Everyone is dreaming about what this could become a year from now... five years from now... maybe even decades from now. Somehow, I get to be one tiny piece of that story.

I love that feeling.🥰🎉💖

I love being part of something that brings a community together, creates new traditions, and gives families memories they'll look forward to making again next year.

Of course... with a first annual event comes plenty of unknowns.🤷♀️🫣😜🤭

As the day approached, my brain started doing what it does best.🌀💫

Should I have brought another helper?

Am I prepared enough?

What if it's busier than I expect?

What if it's not busy at all?🤯🤣🙈

My thoughts started to spiral, so I did what I've learned to do—I said a little prayer 🙏, took a deep breath, and leaned into whatever the day had in store. Somehow, God always carries me through when I can get my own ruminating thoughts out of the way.😜

I knew my issues would fade away once the paint and sparkles started flying, and the little ones were responding with their cute giggles and happy dances!🥰🌞🌈

Honestly... I think I was secretly hoping for a quieter day because I just didn't have much left in the tank.

God laughed.

Before I knew it, I turned around and there was a long line of kids waiting for face paint.

I remember thinking,

"Well... I guess we're doing this!"

Thankfully, I wasn't alone.

My helper, Zennah, absolutely rocked the hair tinsel station all day long. (And when I say rocked it, I mean she had those little strands sparkling in people's hair like she'd been doing it forever.)

One of my favorite things about watching her is that she genuinely enjoys people.

She smiles.

She listens.

She celebrates with them.

That's really what we're creating every weekend.

Sure... people leave with glitter or face paint or hair tinsel.

My New Bumblebee Teacher

Then came my favorite customer of the day.

I overheard a grandmother wondering whether I'd be able to paint what her grandson wanted.

My ears perked up.

I turned around and smiled.

"I can do anything. Try me."

Well...

That little three-year-old proceeded to educate me on everything I didn't know about bumblebees.

Apparently baby bumblebees have little white bottoms.

They have brown necks.

There needed to be a daddy bumblebee.

A baby bumblebee.

Another one over here.

Another one over there.

Every time I thought I was finished...

Nope.

One more bee.

One more detail.

One more correction.

Finally, he decided we needed two yellow circles around his eyes so he could be a bumblebee too.

I absolutely loved him.

Not because I painted a great bumblebee...

But because, for about twenty minutes, I got to step into his world.

I think kids know when adults are really listening.

That little guy certainly had my full attention.

By the end, I think we were both pretty proud of our little bumblebee adventure.

The very last family I painted that afternoon ended up hiring me for a birthday party next month, which made my heart so happy.

I've been traveling a lot lately, so getting invited to be part of something local feels extra special.

Back Home at Spooky Nook

Sunday brought me back to Spooky Nook.

Originally the tournament was supposed to have around 300 teams.

Instead, it ended up being less than half of that.

Normally I'd probably be disappointed.

This weekend...

I think it was exactly what I needed.

God knows my limits even when I don't.

One woman wandered over to my display and was looking at everything.

I smiled and asked,

"Do you know about my Sparkles?"

She looked right at me and said,

"They make me feel so alive."

Whew.

I don't think she realized what a gift those words were.

Because that's exactly what I hope all of my artwork does.

Whether it's a painting...

A little jar of Sparkles...

A face paint...

Or simply a conversation...

I hope people walk away feeling a little more alive than they did before.

Later that evening, after I had everything packed away, my friend Joey wandered over.

He works in Guest Services at Spooky Nook, so he spends his weekends solving problems and helping people.

Every once in a while he'll stop by and ask me to paint something on his arm.

He never really knows what he wants.

He just knows he wants a little art.

So I asked,

"What if I painted your dog?"

His whole face lit up.

"Theodore?!"

Out came his phone.

Picture after picture.

You would've thought Theodore was his child.

I had never met Theodore.

I'd never painted Theodore.

And honestly, painting someone's beloved dog in just a few minutes is a little terrifying.

But I thought...

Why not?

Let's stretch that muscle.

It wasn't perfect.

But I had so much fun doing it.

It reminded me that there's another artist inside me who's been patiently waiting for me to slow down.

I Think It's Time

Friday night, after the festival, I plopped myself on the couch because I didn't have enough energy to do much of anything.

I ended up watching an art competition show, and something inside me woke back up.

I started thinking about my jellyfish.

My sunflowers.

The surreal paintings floating around in my imagination.

And now...

Portraits.

Animals.

Just... drawing again.

Not because I have to.

Not because I'm selling it.

Just because it feels good to learn.

It feels like a new season is beginning creatively, and I'm excited to see where it leads.

After Spooky Nook, I met my dad for our usual dinner.

Then he wanted to show me something.

He's been hanging my paintings all throughout his basement, and little by little it's turning into his own personal gallery.

He smiled and told me how uplifting they make him feel.

Earlier that same day, a woman had told me my Sparkles made her feel alive.

Standing there in my dad's basement, I had one of those little moments where it felt like God was gently connecting the dots for me.

Maybe that's what all of this has always been about.

Not paintings.

Not glitter.

Not face paint.

Helping people notice beauty.

Helping people smile.

Helping people feel a little more alive.

Galatians 6:9 says,

"Let us not0 grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

I needed that reminder this week.

Maybe somebody else does too.

Sometimes all we can do is show up.

And somehow...

God does the rest.

Looking Ahead

This coming weekend will be my last weekend at Spooky Nook for the summer, and I'd absolutely love to see you if you're there!

After that, I'll be heading to Flight Fest on August 8–9, followed by Panda Fest in Washington, D.C. on August 15–16.

I can't wait to see what adventures are waiting around the corner.

Until next week...

Go notice something beautiful.

Maybe it'll be a flower.

Maybe it'll be a bumblebee.

Maybe it'll simply be someone who needs a smile.

Either way...

It's worth noticing.

With gratitude (and a little extra sparkle),

Brookie ✨