This summer Christine Sine has hosted a series of great blogs on everyday spiritual practices. She posted my contribution on the spiritual practice of coloring. Go check it out here, and read the others as well!
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Cool. I led a service for the first time this summer when we did art as a spiritual practice. I set tables up in long rows with paper and crayons scattered randomly. I wanted people to feel like they were in preschool, without any judgments about what was good or bad. The first drawing we did was just moving the crayon on the paper for a minute. Just feel your hand and arm moving, the contact with the paper, the way the crayon melts away into the page and the line changes as it does. I think people were surprised at how good it felt and how cleansing it was. We did a couple of other drawings, but I think that was the most successful. It really brought people into that moment.
Danielle, I found the Praying in Color book this past year at AAR. Loved the new ideas for finding prayer in a colorful space. Bought many books and gave them all away. Our teenage daughters buy new Crayolas (the ONLY brand worth having) and coloring books at the beginning of summer. One of their favorite pasttimes. I have to say the Disney Princesses book still reigns at our household.
Thanks to you both for your comments. Sounds like it was a neat service Scott- I know coloring always gets a good response when we use it. And I agree with you, Joni- Crayola brand is hands-down the best!
Danielle, I’ve been using (and gifting) Journey-In: A Meditative Coloring Journal now and then for a while now, and it is a lovely practice. Although I’ve also been known to use a set of 100 markers, I think I may get out my big box of Crayolas this afternoon!
Robin