The Lord in His great love has called each of us to inscribe His inspired Word upon our hearts. I believe He gives us our own unique ways to do this, which in my case is by drawing His Word using calligraphy. My grandfather, “Bumpa” as we call him, receives a Scripture from the Lord to bless and pray over each of his grandchildren as they are born. He chose Proverbs 3:1-6 for my life, which speaks about the importance of “trusting in the Lord with all your heart” (vs. 5). According to this passage, we are to “not forget His teaching” (vs. 1), to “keep His commands” (vs. 1), and to “write them on the tablet of your heart” (v. 3).
In the second grade, my mom began homeschooling my siblings and me. She always had such a gift in finding ways to tie His Word into our school day. One specific way I remember, and which I believe began my passion for drawing His Word, was through learning cursive. My mom used cursive learning sheets that had Bible verses on them, and I remember it being the favorite part of my day. I truly believe that while I thought I was just practicing cursive, God was using that to inscribe Scripture on the tablet of my heart and to cultivate the desire to memorize truths from His Word. At about that same time, my grandfather challenged each of us to memorize the Scripture He had given us and that he would give us $100 if we did. I quickly took up the challenge! Once again, I had no idea how inscribing this Scripture on my heart would be used as a continual thread throughout my life.
Fast forward to 5th grade, some of my friends started asking me to draw their name in a pretty way. I would give them different fonts as well as a list of attributes to choose from that they thought described them. I would then draw these around their name. When I began to do this, my mom was concerned I had begun to think about and value “these” words and to replace His Word with just “nice” words. She told me that she would only buy more markers if I would redirect my focus back to Scripture. My mom’s mantra was “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25). She shared how I might give His living Word as a gift, and the refreshment it would bring into others lives. I remember thinking, “what if no one wants me to do it anymore for them?” While I was nervous about this, I listened to her and obeyed. I definitely had people lose interest, but it kept me focused on the true purpose for it, which was to inscribe His Word on my heart and to help others do the same. And looking back a decade later, I am so glad I did! God has allowed me to use my gift to bless and encourage others with handwritten Scripture calligraphy. If you’d like to see, just click this link: inscriptedbyannie.etsy.com
Whether it’s drawing Scripture, writing songs like my sister, Sarah Peyton, serving in the nursery, praying for someone, visiting someone sick in the hospital, cooking a meal for a neighbor, we are all given unique opportunities to let His Word be written on the tablets of our hearts, and to “acknowledge Him in all our ways” (vs 6).
How might the Lord be encouraging you to inscribe His Word on your heart?