The other day I saw that a friend was using her Brush Lettering supplies while she was cooped up at home. It got me thinking that while we don't sell our calligraphy kits anymore, I could offer the workbooks as downloads to print and use at home. As I was preparing to put them up online, I got out all of my own supplies to take a picture. Then I thought, "oh, let me just sit here a second and letter something." It had been a while since I'd done that (so much baby holding these days)!
I noticed that my shoulders relaxed and I instantly felt calmer. "Of course!" I thought, "this is how Be A Heart began all those years ago." I got sober from alcohol and needed something to do in the evenings after work to fill my time and to combat my extreme anxiety. I started teaching myself calligraphy. I would find quotes that inspired me and I would practice my lettering with them.
I fell in love with the meditative nature of hand lettering. You can't go quickly, you have to focus and the rhythmic practice is brings you to the present moment.
"This is what I need right now!" and I thought it might be what you need, too. You can get the downloads here:
Beginner Modern Calligraphy Workbook
Brush Lettering Workbook
And find my favorite supplies here.
Then while we are all spending time at home with extra hours in a day or trying to come up with activities for children at home (this is great for little kids, teenagers, college kids, too!) I thought we could do a Bible Verse a day. This becomes a prayerful experience - meditate on the scripture, soak up the therapeutic experience of hand lettering, and join in community doing this together.
We'll continue to update this each week with more bible verses to get us through this time. One tip: for long verses, I often find it easier to pull a few words instead of trying to arrange something really long**
DAY 1: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6-7
DAY 2: Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:26
DAY 3:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Ephesians 5:8
Day 4:
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”
Ephesians. 5:14
DAY 5: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
DAY 6: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Psalm 23:4
Day 7: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Day 8: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Day 9: Yes, Lord.
John 11:27
Day 10: Jesus said, "Take away the stone."
John 11:39
Day 11: The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Day 12: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Day 13: Return to me with all your heart.
Joel 2:12
Day 14: But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
Day 15: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Day 16: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
1 Corinthians 15:55
Day 17: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is the he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.”
Matthew 21:9
Day 18: Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; Though war be waged upon me, even then will I trust.
Psalm 27: 3
Day 19: For you are my hope, O LORD; my trust, O God, from my youth. On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength; my hope in you never wavers.
Psalm 71:5-6
Day 20: God, in your abundant kindness, answer me.
Psalm 69:14
Day 21: I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.
John 13:15
Day 22: Into your hands I commend my spirit.
Psalm 31:6
Day 23: Like a deer that longs for running streams, my soul longs for you, my God.
Psalm 42:2
Day 24: This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
Psalm 118:24
