This is my CREATIVE friend Carey. 

(For the record, she is also amazing when it comes to themed parties and costumes.)

I mentioned her 31 Days of Creativity yesterday.  She has even guest-posted for me before.

I could list all of the reasons why I am thankful to know Carey C. Bailey, but that would take days for me to write and just as long for you to read.  Today I want to talk about one particular reason why I’m so thankful that this woman is in my personal network of support and friendship.

Carey is visionary.

I haven’t actually pulled out the dictionary to see if I have the correct definition of visionary as I write this.  I believe that Carey is visionary because she is one of the few, the proud, and the brave who have the chutzpah and desire to make her God-given dreams a reality.  I have watched as she plans celebrations for friends and family, designs crafts, decorates events, and imagines programs that go above and beyond the call of duty.  She creates because she loves it, but also because she’s obedient to the very firm calling that God has placed on her life.

It was September of 2006.  I was 24 and enjoying my life in Texas but I kept feeling a tug that it was time for a new adventure.  On a whim I applied for a job in Arizona (of all places!) and thought to myself, “Nothing will ever come from this.  I’m not moving to Arizona.”  I was wrong on both counts.

Carey was the Children’s Director at the time.  I remember answering her phone call and pacing in my tiny rented room and listening to her own story of journeying from Texas to Arizona.  What I heard was the story of a confident woman who was living an adventurous life.  I looked up at the sign that hung on my wall and read, “I will go.  I will do the things the Lord commands.”  I was terrified- but knowing that someone had gone before me made all the difference.

Carey has always been two steps ahead of me.  This allows her to be an amazing coach and friend in each of the crazy stages of life that I’ve entered.  She encourages creativity and productivity and she reminds me of the truth to claim in areas where I am prone to dwell on lies.

Carey set out to create a devotional for women who were walking through her same phase in life.  She dreamed and prayed and then she did the work.  I want my hand held all the way through the creative process.  But  I’ve watched as Carey has sought resources, focused on the task at hand, and made her dreams become a reality. Carey gets a vision for what could be and what she could create (oftentimes waking at 3am) and she starts moving.  She listens as God’s voice calls her deeper in and further still.

As a result, Carey’s creative project “Cravings” is coming to full fruition this week.  I can’t imagine what that must feel like!  All I know is that I’m thankful that she is two steps ahead and always ready to call back to me with wisdom, love, and joy.

I’m not a mom, but I have friends who are new mothers.  I’m thrilled to be able to share Carey’s creative venture with them!  If you are looking for a unique gift for a mom to be, consider this unique devotional full of God’s Word and practical application.

Carey’s example of living out her passion reminds me to do the very creative best I can with my own life.  I would encourage you to do the same!

“Live creatively, friends…. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”  Galatians 6:1, 4-5, The Message

Following with JOY,

Ginger