Chalk Art Encouragement
One of the things I love about Houston NW Church is our vision of making Houston more like heaven by helping Houstonians become more like Jesus. And I love the culture of service. I loved HNW’s response to Hurricane Harvey and how as a church we poured into our city. So when the number of COVID-19 cases in the Houston area began to surge, it came as no surprise that HNW provided a form to match people who needed help with those who are able to help. I am one of those deemed “high risk” due to my age and an underlying health condition. I’m incredibly grateful for the number of church families who have offered to run errands or pick up groceries for me or who have called or texted to see how I am.
I wondered how I could give back to the community when my doctor told me to “stay away from people.” Then I saw a post on Facebook in one of the hand-lettering groups I follow. It was an encouraging message drawn in chalk on the sidewalk for the neighbors to see during their evening walks. Then someone else posted a Chalk The Walk challenge. I have always enjoyed crafting, and more recently had begun to practice hand-lettering. This just spoke to me. It was a way I could use my gifts to share notes of encouragement with my neighbors, and through Facebook and Instagram with the larger community. Some of the messages have been scripture verses. Others have been about having hope. In addition to simply bringing a smile to someone’s face, I also hope they will become curious about the #WeLoveHou hashtag on each drawing and discover Houston NW Church. It has been humbling to have neighbors call out from their balcony or across the parking lot of my apartment complex to thank me for creating the chalk art. And more importantly, it has been a way to engage in conversation with people of other cultures and faiths – from a socially responsible distance, of course.
I wondered how I could give back to the community when my doctor told me to “stay away from people.” Then I saw a post on Facebook in one of the hand-lettering groups I follow. It was an encouraging message drawn in chalk on the sidewalk for the neighbors to see during their evening walks. Then someone else posted a Chalk The Walk challenge. I have always enjoyed crafting, and more recently had begun to practice hand-lettering. This just spoke to me. It was a way I could use my gifts to share notes of encouragement with my neighbors, and through Facebook and Instagram with the larger community. Some of the messages have been scripture verses. Others have been about having hope. In addition to simply bringing a smile to someone’s face, I also hope they will become curious about the #WeLoveHou hashtag on each drawing and discover Houston NW Church. It has been humbling to have neighbors call out from their balcony or across the parking lot of my apartment complex to thank me for creating the chalk art. And more importantly, it has been a way to engage in conversation with people of other cultures and faiths – from a socially responsible distance, of course.
