Changing Hearts through the Arts
I was told I needed an “elevator speech” about what Delight & Be is all about. A very short one minute explanation. I have a tendency to ramble a bit because I get so excited when people ask! But someone recently asked me, “What would you say Delight is all about in one sentence?” And this phrase came to me one morning while having my devotions. . . “Changing Hearts through the Arts!” I thought it was a bit cheesy at first, but the more that I said it and looked at it, the more I liked it. It is exactly what Delight & Be is all about!
I notice with most creatives, that those with artistic minds tend to be a bit more emotional. (Out of my four children, I have two very artistically minded!) We have high-highs and low-lows. Because I work with teen girls who are creative, I know this to be true! Artists also tend to be very deep thinkers. I have found the majority to feel very lonely, very misunderstood, but they also are introverted and need space. We seem to have quite a few INFJ’s in the group! ;) I have watched time and time again at retreats, girls connecting with other girls and finally feeling understood.
“Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another:
“What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” C.S. Lewis
Delight is a safe place to share thoughts, struggles, praises, prayer requests. I have seen it being a place where girls are able to be vulnerable & open up. . . it is a place to be heard and listened to. I have seen so many girls lives changed through Delight. They are drawn in by the fact that it is about photography, culinary arts, graphic arts, songwriting, theater, etc., but as they start sharing their passions, it results in hearts being drawn closer to the CREATOR. During retreats and intensives, we typically spend the mornings and evenings focusing on worship and learning about Jesus. Sometimes our times together can get pretty deep & God wants to heal hurts from the past. He desires redemption and victory! For me personally, God gave me photography as a conduit for healing. In 2009, I was diagnosed with PTSD & it was a very dark time in my life. The only thing that allowed me to “feel” was when I had a camera in my hand & I was seeing things through my lens. I have seen it over and over and over. . . girls that are hurting & dealing with real-life difficult issues. . . but in the afternoons, they will pick up a camera or paintbrush & they just come alive! It is beautiful to watch & be part of seeing such joy!
I see so many ways in which God is using Delight to change, mold, shape, heal hearts though the creative arts. I ask today that you would be part of helping one of these young women attend a future event. We have two upcoming intensives at the Delight House as well as the spring retreat in April! Will you consider giving to our year end fundraiser? Or even fully sponsoring a girl to attend? If you ask an alumni who attended, every single one I have talked to has told me over and over that they are life-changing events. Will you please consider blessing a girl today? All donations are tax-deductible!
Thank you for your love & support of these beautiful young women! Thank you for your prayers for 2016!!
All because of Jesus,
Momma Wall
