Home > Author > Edith Schaeffer
1 " There is something about saying, ‘We always do this,’ which helps keep the years together. Time is such an elusive thing that if we keep on meaning to do something interesting, but never do it, year would follow year with no special thoughtfulness being expressed in making gifts, surprises, charming table settings, and familiar food. Tradition is a good gift intended to guard the best gifts. "
― Edith Schaeffer , What Is a Family?
2 " It is true that all men are created in the image of God, but Christians are supposed to be conscious of that fact, and being conscious of it should recognize the importance of living artistically, aesthetically, and creatively, as creative creatures of the Creator. If we have been created in the image of an Artist, then we should look for expressions of artistry, and be sensitive to beauty, responsive to what has been created for us” (p. 32). "
― Edith Schaeffer , The Hidden Art of Homemaking
3 " I am sure that there is no place in the world where your message would not be enhanced by your making the place (whether tiny or large, a hut or a palace) orderly, artistic and beautiful with some form of creativity, some form of ‘art’ (p. 213). "
4 " All art involves conscious discipline. If one is going to paint, do sculpture, design a building or write a book, it will involve discipline in time and energy — or there would never be any production at all to be seen, felt or enjoyed by ourselves or others. To develop ‘Hidden Art’ will also, of course, take time and energy – and the balance of the use of time is a constant individual problem for all of us: what to do, and what to leave undone. One is always having to neglect one thing in order to give precedence to something else. The question is one of priorities” (p. 32). "
5 " Food cannot take care of spiritual, psychological and emotional problems, but the feeling of being loved and cared for, the actual comfort of the beauty and flavour of food, the increase of blood sugar and physical well-being, help one to go on during the next hours better equipped to meet the problems (p. 124). "
6 " It is not necessary to have an extravagant food budget in order to serve things with variety and tastefully cooked. It is not necessary to have expensive food on the plates before they can enter the dining room as things of beauty in colour and texture. Food should be served with real care as to the colour and texture on the plates, as well as with imaginative taste. This is where artistic talent and aesthetic expression and fulfillment come in. "
― Edith Schaeffer , Hidden Art
7 " You have started, whether you recognize that fact or not. We foolish mortals sometimes live through years of not realizing how short life is, and that TODAY is our life. The day comes when we die. "
8 " Even if you can not sculpt great foundations, because you have not got that sort of talent, at least carve a child's toy...Start SOMEWHERE.Do not let this desire be simply a frustration that turns into bitterness when it could grow and develop, given some small outlet.. "
― Edith Schaeffer
9 " Be satisfied with the fact that although your art or talent may never be accepted by the world as anything 'great', and may never be your career, it can be used to enrich your day by day life:enrich it for you, and for the people with whom you live....and come to the recognition of the fact that it is important for you to BE creative in this area to the extent of your talent: important for you as a person who IS a creative creature. "
10 " It is in nature, among the things which God has created, designed and brought forth Himself, that we are in the most natural atmosphere to be inspired. Creative ideas are apt to flow in the midst of the creativity expressed in God's creation, as one is temporarily separated from the confusion of conflicting voices which would separate us from the simple basic realities of what 'is'- and this is especially true today, when so much of what man builds, paints and writes, not only has no place for God but has no place for nature or man either. "
11 " There is no occasion when meals should become totally unimportant. Meals can be very small indeed, very inexpensive, short times taken in the midst of a big push of work, but they should be always more than just food. "
12 " If you have two loves of bread, sell one and buy a lily.The bread becomes a different thing when eaten at a table with the lily in the center. "
13 " There is a God who is there, and who is personal, and who accepts art (music) as a praise to Himself, as worship, when given to Him in this sincere way- without being strained through the 'strainer' of human acceptance.If we follow the urging of God, we would not be embarrassed to fulfill our urge to create(make music) for God's ears alone.Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth. "
14 " If you have been afraid that your love of beautiful flowers and the flickering flame of the candle is somehow less spiritual than living in starkness and ugliness, remember that He who created you to be creative gave you the things with which to make beauty and the sensitivity to appreciate and respond to His creation. "
15 " Even if (musical) talent is "just" used within a family, someone is appreciating what is being produced, or is sharing in the enjoyment....for relaxation; for just plain fun and sharing: for the experience of doing something creative together. "
16 " Writing for enjoyment of expression- like music and painting,(and photography)- does not NEED an audience of more than one. "
17 " If you do nothing about this desire to use your artistic ability, there is a frustration, and you put part of yourself in a 'plaster cast' which will stunt your personality rather than develop it. There is also the danger of you becoming a complaining, whining, warped sort of person with self pity eating away inside you and coming out in caustic, jealous remarks. In fact, it is wasteful not to use your talents to the full. It can be a form of pride not to use your abilities as 'Hidden Art' which will fulfill your own needs, and enrich the lives of others with whom you live, instead of submitting them to the frustrated you! "
18 " People throw away what they could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for it where they will never find it "
19 " There needs to be a homemaker exercising some measure of skill, imagination, creativity, desire to fulfill needs and give pleasure to others in the family. How precious a thing is the human family. It it not worth some sacrifice in time, energy, safety, discomfort, work? Does anything come forth without work? "
20 " A Christian, who realizes he has been made in the image of the Creator God and is therefore meant to be creative on a finite level, should certainly have more understanding of his responsibility to treat God's creation with sensitivity, and should develop his talents to do something to beautify his little spot on the earth's surface. "
