God Sighting: Creativity Leads to Care

A handmade card is a gift of thought and time and especially love.
Whatever occasion it marks, it also sends this message:
I care about you.
You are important.

As I’ve been making cards for over a decade, I know it’s definitely an act of co-creation with God. I’ll be thinking about the recipient, trying to form an idea, and a thought will come: “this would make him laugh” or “remember she loves daisies.”

Since September, Sheridan Cardmakers has been meeting monthly to craft cards for our Sheridan family to mark holidays and special occasions. Either the card-maker or another Sheridan member writes a personal note to the recipient.

Before we begin our work, we ask for God’s blessing on our hearts and hands and on those who will receive the cards, so that we may give glory to God. The cards are designed to be fun to make, with room for each card maker’s creative touch—colors, embellishments, placement—so each card can reflect its maker.

I like to include special details. I remember my mother enjoying a card over and over, delighting in something she hadn’t noticed before. We stamp, emboss, die-cut, and more. And when we mess up, we remember: a card doesn’t have to be “perfect” to express our love and God’s love.

Sometimes we hear from a recipient that our card has warmed their heart in some way. It’s a joy to know God has used us to bless a fellow member of our faith family!

Sheridan Cardmakers exists to provide thoughtful, handmade cards to members of our congregation who are hospitalized, undergoing health challenges, celebrating milestone anniversaries, or simply to say, “we care.” This group is part of Sheridan’s Care Ministry, providing care and support to those in need within our congregation. The next meeting is Saturday, February 21 at 2–4pm in Room 522.

By Cheryl Stubbendieck