Life can weigh heavy with challenges—illness, loss, or uncertainty can cast long shadows over our days. Yet, in the midst of hardship, there’s a powerful way to reclaim light and purpose: finding a hobby that sparks joy. A hobby isn’t just a pastime; it’s a lifeline, a way to shift focus from what ails us to creating beauty that uplifts both ourselves and others. For me, gardening has been that sacred space, and more recently, crafting resin hearts with mustard seeds has become a new way to spread love and faith.
Gardening has long been my refuge. Digging into the earth, planting seeds, and nurturing them into vibrant plants or nourishing food feels like a divine collaboration. Each seedling that breaks through the soil reminds me of God’s intricate care for creation. As I tend to my garden, I feel closer to Him, marveling at how He invests in every detail of life. If He pours such love into these plants, how much more does He pour into us? This reflection fills me with gratitude, shifting my perspective from my struggles to the beauty of growth and possibility.
But life changes, and so must we. As my disease progressed, gardening became physically challenging, its demands outpacing my abilities. At first, this loss stung deeply. Yet, in that space of limitation, I discovered a new hobby: crafting resin hearts embedded with mustard seeds. Each heart is a small labor of love, a symbol of faith as small as a mustard seed that can move mountains. This creative outlet has become my new way to connect with others and share a message of hope.
Now, when I go out, I carry these hearts with me, gifting them to strangers and friends alike. Each one carries a story—of God’s love, of resilience, and of the power of small acts to inspire. Handing someone a heart and seeing their face light up shifts my focus from my own pain to their joy. It’s a reminder that we’re all connected, that even in hardship, we can create something beautiful to share.
The heart of this journey is finding a hobby that pulls you out of yourself. It’s not about escaping reality but reframing it—choosing gratitude over despair, creation over stagnation. Whether it’s painting, knitting, writing, or baking, the act of making something with care redirects energy toward joy. It’s a way to honor the life you have, to say, “I’m still here, and I have something to give.”
If you’re facing hard times, I encourage you to explore a hobby that speaks to your soul. Start small—try something new or revisit an old passion. Let it be a space where you create not just for yourself but for others. In that act of giving, you’ll find healing, purpose, and a reminder that even in life’s toughest seasons, you can grow beauty and share it with the world.
Three Bible verses to reflect on:
1. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV):
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
This verse connects to pouring love and care into hobbies like gardening or crafting, doing so with a heart devoted to God, which brings purpose and joy.
2. Matthew 17:20 (NIV):
“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.’”
This directly ties to your resin hearts with mustard seeds, symbolizing how small acts of faith can inspire and uplift others, reflecting God’s love.
3. Philippians 4:8 (NIV):
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
This verse encourages shifting focus from hardships to creating and dwelling on what is beautiful and praiseworthy, aligning with the idea of finding joy through creative, meaningful hobbies.
Metastatic Hope 
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