Our God is a God of immeasurable creativity. From hanging one billion trillion stars in the observable universe, to carving out the oceans and setting their boundaries with the hills — there is no end to His creativity. As His handiwork, fearfully and wonderfully made, He invites us to discover Him through creative expression. This was the heart behind the Scripture Lullabies “Life Beautiful, a Coloring Book of Prayers.”

Amarie (Stocker) Hurt, the author and illustrator of “Life Beautiful,” shares about the creative process and inspiration for developing this beautiful coloring book of prayers …

 

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Isn’t it incredible to see women connect with God in new and creative ways? With “Life Beautiful,” I wanted to share those experiences where I felt so near to God through creative expression. With the recent popularity of coloring books, our team was inspired to produce something not only beautiful, but life-giving. We wanted to create a coloring book unlike anything out on the market. Our vision was to see women enveloped in the presence of God as they not only color the hand-drawn illustrations, but also listen to accompanying Scripture Lullabies music, taking time to sit with God’s Word expressed through the devotions and prayers.

Over the year and a half it took me to hand draw each illustration and write every devotional, this project became an intimately creative process for me. I spent time letting the words of our “Hidden In My Heart” album series pour over me until a visual formed in my mind, and then I began to draw. Some illustrations asked for more time than others. The illustration for “You Are My Design” didn’t feel right after its first draft, nor its second, or third. But, like many things that require a lot of time, it was very dear to my heart when I finished. And It was such a neat reminder of how God carefully and meticulously works in our hearts until we come to see His beautiful design for each of our lives.

With all of the details involved in drawing, writing, and printing, there were many times throughout the project I had to remember to be still — to sit with the process and give it the time it needed. This was a big lesson God had for me in writing the devotions and prayers in “Life Beautiful.” It is why, after completing this project, the piece for “Be Still And Know” is the most meaningful to me. There are so many times when the busyness of life overwhelms, and time feels like it’s flying by. If I’m honest, I often feel like I’m just trying to “make it” instead of really taking the time to enjoy the moment. “Be Still And Know” was a reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty that’s all around me every day.

My heart for “Life Beautiful” is for it to create a space for others to enter in, be still, and spend time dwelling on the details of God, savoring His goodness toward us. He truly cares about us and our quality of life, and He wants to impress us! Why else would He create things that are so captivating?

When I think about this, I realize the simple beauty in the things He has created. His gifts are like love letters to us. It makes Him and His pursuit of us feel real and close. A relationship with Him is so much more than just do’s and don’ts. It’s an ongoing love story He’s writing every day. I pray through the prayerful devotions, music, and illustrations of “Life Beautiful,” many will be inspired to slow down and dwell on the powerful peace of Christ.