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Amy Kirk

@ahniart

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🌿Creating to remember the lovely things I so easily forget.
🌿Sharing to encourage others.
🌿Making much of Jesus.
🌿Shop👇🏼art/stickers

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“You missed one” she said, nodding toward the floor under my son’s car seat before stepping out to meet her husband who was gathering boxes of her books from the trunk of our car.

My face turned beet red as I spied the lonely fish cracker laying on the floor.

How did we miss that one?

My hubby and I had scoured our car the day before knowing we were Ubering Elisabeth Elliot and her husband, Lars, home from the Boston airport.

Having sat in Elisabeth’s home with other seminary wives that year I knew how she valued order and cleanliness.

“It’s the tiny, little things in life which will make the difference between order and chaos, ladies. Visible things are signs of an invisible reality.”

Well, I definitely had little things in my life. 2 of them. And, yes, they were the difference between order and chaos. These little ones kept me busy and kept my car (and home) perpetually messy.

But was that lonely fish cracker a sign of a messy, inward life, Lord?

“No, dear one, it’s simply a sign of life.” He whispered to my heart.

Exhale.

I reached over, kissed my son, and picked up the lonely fishy off the floor.

What might be seen as a tad messy,
God saw as a beautiful sign of life!

And so did I.

The life of my son.
The life of my daughter.
Precious lives entrusted to me.

The calling of motherhood had set me on a deeper path of knowing, loving, and trusting God in deeper ways.

Messes and all.

My life was poured out in love of common duties. Day in and day out. Through spilled milk, dirty diapers, and even forgotten fishy crackers.

God comes to us in the little things if we’re open and willing to listen.

Still to this day I smile with delight when I see a “fishy cracker”.

A visual sign of the invisible reality that God delights in me and the immeasurable ministry of sacrificial love through motherhood.
:
:
#celebratemotherhood
#christianmom #Christianmomlife
#Godsimage
#loveGodlovepeople
#lovenotesfromGod
#faithjourney
#wordsthatinspire by @ahniart

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3 years ago

I'm a huge fan of reading saints of old....Amy Carmichael, Corrie ten Boom, Elisabeth Elliot, Lilias Trotter just to name a few. I read and reread their works often. I receive strength and encouragement in my own faith journey by reading their stories of resilience through suffering and coming through the fire tested and refined as gold.

A few weeks back I read,
“In My Father’s House” by Corrie ten Boom.
What a gem of a book!

In it, Corrie shares how God prepared her family, from generation to generation, for a future that only he could see.

The book primarily tells of her father, Casper, who built a home for his large family on the solid foundation of knowing and believing the power of the Word of God as well as instilling the daily practice of spending their lives for the betterment others.

One of my favorite quotes Corrie’s father often spoke over his children was this one:

“When Jesus takes your hand, he keeps you tight. When Jesus keeps you tight, he leads you through life. When he leads you through life, he brings you safely home.”

Being kept tight IN the hands of Jesus.
Being led through life BY Jesus.
Being brought safely home WITH Jesus.

I wondered if Corrie’s father was thinking of Jesus’ words in John 6 where he says:

“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.“

Remembering this truth enables me to walk through life’s uncertainties with peace, for God will never leave my side. I am his! He has me firmly in his grip, hemmed in behind and before. I can indeed live with hope and expectation that he will lead me safely home.

I pray it is the same for you today, fellow traveler.

We are held safe and secure and nothing will stop God’s plan for us.
:
#Christianart #trustinhim #seekGod
#lovenotesfromGod
#riseandshine #bestrong #takeheart #Godstrong #corrietenboom by @ahniart

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3 years ago

Seeing my art on store shelves will never get old! When I spotted this piece today in Kirkland’s my heart skipped a few beats! My mission with my little Ahni Art biz has always been to share God’s Word with His World and He continues to open doors to allow that vision to become a reality. I told the Kirkland’s workers I hoped my high school art teacher would be proud of my art, specifically my handwriting of Psalm 118:24 on this piece. I will never forget how she “forced me” to practice the same letter in calligraphy for 3 long weeks because she said “Amy, these just don’t look right!”😂
All glory to God for this indescribable gift. And a huge “THANK YOU!” to Curated American Artists for making this happen! If you happen to pop into a Kirkland’s and see this on a shelf you can know it was created by me (Ahni) and NOT by AI! by @ahniart

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2 months ago

I wonder if you might know someone who needs a little encouragement theses days? A little boost up? Some inspiration to keep on keeping on? Sometimes it takes just one person to notice someone’s effort and declare a word of encouragement to help them hold on, go the distance, or follow through!
Did someone come to mind?
Good.
Obey that nudge and
Send the text!
Speak it over the phone!
Write a letter!
Declare it through an email!
We need to be creative these days, but encouragement must go on!

What’s your favorite way of brightening someone’s day?

Share your ideas below!

“So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.”
1 Thess. 5:11

#speaklife #encourage #encouragementquote
#1thessalonians5 #1thessalonians
#wordsoflife by @ahniart

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2 years ago

Doxology.

This word comes from two Greek words:

Doxa which means GLORY
and
Logos which means WORD.

Simply put: A doxology is a word of glory or praise that we offer up to God.

Doxology shouldn’t wait for circumstances to be perfect. It shouldn’t wait for feelings to stop fluctuating. It shouldn’t appear only when all has finally been repaired...or healed....or finally made whole. Doxology should be our way of living. Our way of breathing. Each and everyday.

Doxology is worship in the midst of the mess. It’s whispered in the dead of night, spoken through the sadness, tucked in with the tough, woven into our wounds, and nestled beneath the nuisance.

It’s praising here.

It’s praising now.

It’s allowing the joys and the sorrows to co-exist and forging ahead with them both.

For when we live a life of doxology we will always find wholeness.

But...we forget.

We get stuck.

Our glory words can easily remain prisoner to our past...or our present. They can quickly live in exile or find their home in a forgotten land of “if-onlys”.

But doxology brings healing when it’s applied to all of life...alongside the other...hand in hand....in one fluid motion.

Joy AND sadness.

Sickness AND health.

Struggling AND rejoicing.

Heartache AND praise.

Always to the glory of God.

Our God who is so near to us…in it all.

The one from whom all blessings flow.

In the Here. In the Now. In our people time. In our people space. In all our work, in all our play, in all our sweat, in all our tears.

These glory words are meant to be bound with the broken, and knit with the night. They should be uttered in the shattered and sung over the sweetness.

Our wholeness depends upon this union...no matter the state of ours lives.

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.”

#doxology
#rejoice
#rejoiceinthelord
#dailydevotion
#womenintheword
#sheinspiresothers by @ahniart

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2 years ago

I hold a little sadness in my heart these days….

You, too?

May these words by Amy Carmichael comfort you as they did me this morning during my time with Jesus.

“I was like a leafy bush, and many little things came to me for shelter. I was not great or important, but I could help those little ones. And it surely was the joy of my heart to help them.

Now it is no more.

A choice, a decision, a policy came down from another and changed the course of my life. I’ve been told I cannot talk about it and it’s placed me here in isolation. I’m like a wintering tree…my green leaves are gone. I can no longer shelter even the least little bird.

My life feels full of bare twigs.
I feel desolate.
No use to anyone….

At least that it what I think.

And, then, here in this sadness I hold in my heart, comes a tender voice I recognize so well—

Beloved!
Look!
Look again!
The sun is out.
It’s shining from behind you.
So that every little twig is helping to make something beautiful.
There are other eyes that you do not see looking on and wondering what can be made of these beautiful, bare twigs.

For after winter there is always spring.

Yes!
Spring will come again…

And so will the little birds you so dearly love.

All that seemed lost will be restored.

God will not fail you, Beloved!

He is the God of the sun and the snow.”

#takeheart #biblicalhope #godspeace #trustintheLord #trustinthelordwithallyourheart
#amycarmichael by @ahniart

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2 years ago

...I know the ways that you must walk, Beloved. Like a soft falling snow I am all about you. You are not alone. I am your refuge and strength an ever present help in this time of trouble. I will make good on my promises to you. Do not fear the path you are walking, my child. I will fill you with blessed assurance, moment by moment, because you have reached out for my strong hand. Lift your face. Feel my delight. Like a soft falling snow I surround you with my loving presence.

Happy Snow Day, friends!

We woke to a thick, 10 inch blanket of snow in our neck of the woods and it’s still coming down. Because our city is closed for the day, we are soaking in the beauty of this rare gift.

Were you in the path of this winter storm?

#snowday #winterwonderland #snowday2025 #snowmuchfun
#createdtocreate by @ahniart

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2 years ago

Renew my heart, Lord.
Resurrect my dreams.
Breathe your life into all that seems...
Dead and broken-
Hopeless and gone.
Useless, dejected-
Beyond all recall.
A new year is dawning
and my soul longs to be-
delivered and rested,
quiet and kept.
Living and satisfied,
obedient...refreshed.
Filled and redeemed,
strong and bold.
Joyful and anchored,
healed and whole.
A new year.
A fresh start.
Restored.
Made new.
Jesus,
make me a
hopeful soul,
a peaceful soul,
living for you.
•
•
•
#reflect #newdreams #Godsizeddreams #goodbye2024 #hello2025 #gratefuleveryday
#happynewyear #renewed by @ahniart

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2 years ago

Hey! To all the new faces that have joined my IG journey!

It sure nice to “meet” you here in these little squares each day and I want to say “Thank You” for following along and being such an encouraging community of love and grace.

I’m often asked where I got the name Ahni! When my niece was learning to talk, she couldn’t say aunt Amy, and it came out Ani it stuck!

My art tends to be whimsical and child-like. I share my art and my heart from what God is teaching me through his Word and my daily life and my hope is that all who see it would remember their worth and value as a child of the King!

I’ve recently shared that my art can be found in Hobby Lobby and it’s given me great joy to hear from people all over the USA when you’ve seen it at your store!

I’ve been married to my best friend and my greatest earthly treasure, Stephen, for 29 years.

2 of our children recently married so we now have 9 kids! And we just added a new granddaughter to our tribe!! I keep my seatbelt buckled real tight cuz it’s one wild and wonderful ride that I wouldn’t change for the world.

While this platform has changed over the years my prayer remains the same:
That you will find the beauty of God’s word, and his son, Jesus, reflected in my art.

That’s me, Ahni!

#meettheartist
#scriptureart
#sheinspiresothers
#bibleart
#motherhood by @ahniart

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2 years ago

School supplies
Haircuts
Clothing
Backpacks and more!

This busy, back to school season is full of great anticipation and hope!

But if we’re not careful these earthly goods and to-do lists can steal our time and ultimately leave our tank on empty.

It’s true. We can’t buy happiness. And any attempt to fill our needy soul apart from God will melt away and leave us wanting more.

God is the secret to soul satisfaction.
But I forget.
You, too?

When we approach God as our loving Father, instead of a cosmic vending machine, our focus shifts from all we don’t have to the One we never knew we really needed.

God always gives God.

And that is the secret.

Return to the Father’s house for fresh supplies, Beloved!

He’s the one who daily offers—

Hope for the hurting
Love for the lost
Wisdom for the confusion
Encouragement for the trials
Grace for the challenges
Strength for the weary
Endurance for the race
Joy for the worrier
Peace for the trials
And
Patience for the prickly people we may meet along the way.

As my hubby says, “In plenty and in want...God is the One who personally strengthens the weary, pacifies the anxious, and satisfies the hungry.”

So, I come...as His child...ready for another go. Knowing the secret to this new school year is not more things, but rather sitting in God’s presence, delighting in Him, and recognizing the good He’s already placed around me!

How about you?

What will you fill up on first thing each day of this new school year?

Remember:

“God satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”
Psalm 107:9

“The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!”
Psalm 22:26

“In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11

#psalm16 #psalm107
#abide #bloomingseason #growingseason #Godisinthedetails #Abideinme #abideinthevine by @ahniart

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2 years ago

“Paper Daisy”
“Strawflower”
“Everlasting flower”

This brightly colored posy drew me in as I walked through a flower farm with my five daughters last week.

As I reached out to touch a delicate petal I was amazed to find it felt straw-like.
Dried.
Papery.
Very thin.
Certainly this wasn’t true of all the flowers in this bed…
But it was.
Every single one of these happy, little flowers stood tall and bright as their face looked sunward.
And every single one felt dried and papery.
Beautiful.
Just lovely.
I quickly cut several, added them to my basket, and crowned them as my new favorite flower for this season of my life.

Because—
Life can be prickly.
And quickly we can feel dry and oh, so, paper thin…

We all have these seasons.
When life throws a curve ball and everything goes wonky.

But just like these paper daisies we can stay whole and calm and continue to blossom through the storm.

As Mark Nepo so beautifully puts it—

“This is the trick to staying well, isn’t it:
To feel the sun even in the dark. To not lose the truth of things when they get out of you. To grow just the same. To know there is still water, even when we are thirsty. To know there is still love, even when we are lonely. To know there is still peace, even when we are suffering.”

I want this to be true of me, Lord. Help my heart to remain soft and my countenance bright even though I feel a bit sad, empty, and paper thin. By your Spirit living within me I can blossom, bloom, and thrive once more. Amen.

“The desert and the dry land will be glad, and the wilderness will rejoice and blossom as the rose.”-Isaiah 35:1

#bloomingseason #growingseason #Godisinthedetails #Abideinme #abideinthevine
#growthroughwhatyougothrough by @ahniart

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2 years ago

A new week has begun.
This Monday is filled to the brim with the gift of fresh grace.
This God-gift.
Offered each and everyday.
To you.
To me.
To all of us standing here, shoulder to shoulder, wrapped around this great wide world.
Maybe you’re feeling refreshed, renewed, and energized for all that fills your calendar squares for the upcoming season.
Maybe you’re already on empty, run down, pushed aside, and gasping for breath.
I’m here to tell you that the God of the universe, who holds all things together in time and space, stands before us offering the one thing needed from the get-go.
Grace.
Extended everyday for the taking.
And then for the giving.
And the beautiful thing is there’s nothing fancy for us to do, clean up, make right, or pay for.
Nothing.
Nada.
Zip.
Zero.
Zilch.
Except...receive.
All ya gotta do is say, “yes, please”, or “thank you, God.”
His well of gospel grace never-ever runs dry...but we do.
So reach out and receive this most vital gift...and keep on receiving it each and everyday.
Fill up before you start out.
Whether you’re limping or leaping, dipping or dancing.
Stop and simply receive.
We can’t offer what we don’t have.
So reach out, receive, and tuck it in tight. And then be ready to open up and give His gift away!
Our great God, the God of all our seasons is holding all things together in time and space.
He’s standing before you offering the one thing needed.
Are you ready?
Waiting?
And ready to receive?
I hope so.
Now for a day of JOY!

#graceupongrace
#wordsofinspiration #wordsofencouragement
#womenencouragingwomen
#wordbeforeworld
#joy by @ahniart

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2 years ago