that's one doodle that can't be undid, homeskillet

i doodle. i know that's not some earth shattering confession. but, i bet that more people doodle then are willing to let on. because somewhere along the way, i feel like doodling became childish or something you do when you're bored, or even a sign of disprespect. recently, at a meeting, someone noticed my "artwork" and commented on it. for me, it has nothing to do with being bored, actually it's the opposite. i doodle to stay focused. for us creative types, sometimes it helps to see things in color, or pictures, at least that is the case for me. and most of the time, not always, the pictures directly pertain to what is being discussed.

while venting to a co-worker, and fellow creative type, she mentioned a pastor who tried something different in his congregation, specifically related to doodling. here is an excerpt...

"recently, as people entered the sanctuary on sunday mornings, we gave them small pieces of colored paper - some textured, some not - with a crayon or a colored pencil or a felt pen. for five weeks we gave them permission to doodle as i preached - much like the first disciples mended their nets as Jesus preached. then we asked them to hand the paper back as they exited.

each week, three artists scrunched, folded, and wove the pieces of paper together. they mounted the pieces on a hopscotch of painted canvases and hung them on the sanctuary wall. as the weeks went by, the little scraps of individual paper grew into a breathtaking mosaic that eventually covered two walls of the sanctuary. each week, before and after the services, more and more people stood beneath it, delighted, surprised, and amazed."

i applaud this pastor for being willing to try something outside the box. my question...why are more churches not willing to try something new. and, why can't doodling be about self-expression, or even an act of worship. needless to say, this inspired me. here is a small collage of my own doodling from the meeting i mentioned...