​

This is a collection of heart tugs and reluctant surrenders.

​

​

​

There’s been a tug on my heart for as long as I can remember.  A tug to fall more deeply in relationship with the Lord, to listen more intentionally, to reflect more personally and to respond more readily.  And a tug to share that piece of my heart with whomever will listen. It’s sometimes a painful tug, because it pulls me out of my comfort zone. But it is always loving and pulls for the better- for myself and for whoever gets tugged on in the process. 

​

Answering the tugs does not come easily for me. In March of 2020, I reluctantly decided to set aside my own pride, put down my own will, and let go of this image in my head of who I wanted to be seen as. It was my all or nothing moment- am I going to do God’s work or not? 

​

Without realizing it, I had formed a collection of written reflections that I felt had a bigger purpose than what I intended. It was things God had shown me in prayer, convictions He'd placed on my heart, quotes from books I’d read, bible verses that sparked some Holy Spirit wisdom, etc. And I felt God tugging on my heart to share what He had shared with me.

​

So I did. 

​

​

And still, He continues to tug.

​

Creativity has always been a part of my heart. When I began sharing my artwork later that same year, I had another all or nothing moment- am I going to use my creativity to do God's work or not?

​

I had recently done a Marian consecration, by which you offer your life to Jesus, through the Blessed Mother and allow her to use you for the glory of her Son. Totus tuus Maria -"totally yours Mary." These words rang through my head, and the choice was clear. All of the persistent tugging and the hesitant responding has led to the birth of this collection- plaster work, drawings, written reflections and everything in between.

​

Mother Angelica said,“I’m not afraid to fail…I’m scared to death of dying and having the Lord say to me, ‘Angelica, this is what you might have done had you trusted more.”

So with His grace, I will keep trusting and keep responding, because I’ve come to know the One who's pulling, and He is so good. My hope is that this collection will tug a little on your heart too and give you the urge to be that force by which  someone else is pulled.

​​

​

To Jesus, through Mary, 

-Tina