Mary Engelbreit quotes:

My mother always read to me as a child. I really believe that bonding time between a parent and child is so important and precious. I have lasting memories of those stories because the experience was special.

If you can't change it.. change the way you think about it

My best ideas come to me at unexpected moments, like when I'm reading children's books to my kids (the pictures inspire me), shopping, driving somewhere, seeing different things.

I am extremely thankful for my family. I am very thankful for what God is allowing me to do artistically. What a dream come true for me! That I get the opportunity every single day to use my talent for His glory.

Heal the past, live the present, dream the future.

The golden opportunity you are seeking is within yourself.

When you go through a process of #1 praying daily and staying in God's word #2 obey Him in the small decisions every day #3 ask advice from a number of spiritual counselors then you can step out peacefully knowing that pleasing God is all that matters. America was built on this attitude.

Life is too short to leave your walls bare or colorless. Unless you like bare and colorless then it is fine.

I like to draw late at night when the house is quiet.

Happiness must be grown in one's own garden.

Anything good that we do is because of God. Whenever we get our eyes off of Him we crash and burn.

Babies! What a wonderful way to start people!

Open your heart - open it wide; someone is standing outside.

Life is too short to be safe and sit still and do nothing. Unless of course that is what God has for you to do in a particular place in your life.

Bloom where you are planted!

Don't look back - you're not going that way.

Everyday life inspires me, the situations that we all find ourselves in at one time or another.

If you pray for rain, be prepared to deal with some mud.

Life is too short to rush around and be too busy for your kids.

Life is too short to waste time changing the sheets every week. Especially when you have small children who tend to wait until you change the sheets to then wet the sheets.

A constant FRIEND is a thing rare and hard to find.

Even when sisters are different... Their likeness comes shining through!

I have been trying to get the hang of not being proud but instead turning that into thankfulness. Really whatever we have to be proud about, it is something given to us by the Lord.

Just being able to express myself and reach so many other people by doing so is really great!

Learn from the rejection and turn it into an opportunity!

Life is too short to dust every week.

Life is too short to not tell every one you know about Jesus. I need to practice this more.

Life is too short to sleep it all away!

Life's too mysterious to take too serious.

Look to the beauty of this day, miracles are all around you.

Not what you do but how you do it, is the test of your capacity.

One loses many laughs by not laughing at oneself.

Part of my passion for all things Christmas is seeing my holiday stuff again every December. I suppose I do have more than most folks, so the reunion each winter keeps me in the holiday spirit for a full year. And there are always a few pieces out in my house whatever the month.

So many people com einto our lives and then leave the way they came. But there are those precious few who touch our hearts so deeply we will never be the same.

The only thing I know for sure about the creative process is it always comes back. Magically. When there are no creative juices and nothing is coming to me - if I wait - it comes!

The world would be a vastly better place if people saw their need for God and accepted Him as Savior and Lord. And then lived by His rule of Love being the most important thing. Can you imagine the world if everyone was motivated by love for others?

There are some people who want me and my husband to stay where it is safe and draw a paycheck every week instead of what we are doing (which is creating and sharing our art with others). The truth is that there are people in this world - Dave and I being two - who would die a slow painful death if stuck in an office and made to do the kind of work that we are not made to do.

There's no better friend than a sister...

Things that influence me are my kids, their happiness, colorfulness, and vitality. My husband - he comes up with some great quotes and ideas. God - He is the Ultimate artist. And what I see around me - flowers, leaves, trees, birds, fruit, vegetables.

Time flies whether you are having fun or not.

We should see dreaming as one of our responsibilitie s, rather than an alternative to one.

When I come across writing that really moves me and inspires me, my reaction is twofold. I want to share it with others and I want to draw something that is worthy of it. I love finding quotes that stop people-that really make them think. And I love the idea that my work, combined with meaningful words, can provide comfort or inspiration to someone.

I wish I would have kept the big picture in my mind at all times - what it most important? That my kids seek to please God and learn about their Creator.