New Life

This moment. This moment means a lot to me. I’ve failed. I’ve failed a lot over the years. I’ve made mistakes. Whether I was set up for failure from the outset of my life, or whether that set up caused me to learn the hard way or not, I learned a lot from those mistakes.

Never give up. Never give in. Never hold on to shame, judgment, guilt, disappointment, opinions, criticisms or the mistakes of others. Keep going.

This moment is a result of that tenacity. Several years ago (six and a half to be exact), I submitted a piece for this publication. Denied. Not long after, I sensed the need to stow away my easel, paints, brushes, pens and tubes in the attic. I chose to focus on shaping and molding the masterpieces in my home, in hopes the Sculpture would craft the lives in our home, in a way only He could.
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He did. A home was made warmer. A marriage became stronger. Two children who’ve become young women over the years have consistently done well in school, respect adults in their lives, have creative and free minds, and genuinely care for others. Are they perfect? Not by a long shot. If learning the hard way to embrace what needs to change is inheritable, both girls received the birthright. Ultimately, we all do our best to learn from whatever may come our way, and keep on living and loving.

When I was asked to exhibit earlier this year, I was nervous. I know what it is like to pour into something only to have one or two people show up. I know what it is like to scribe, edit and scribe again for hours, only to have no one read. I know what it is like to have folks who do show up, be critical, convinced they could do better. I acquiesced to the invitation with a tinge of uncertainty in April of this year, yet charged and with renewed confidence. I submitted another piece to the publication, ten days after accepting the invitation. Not this time. Not this piece.

I kept going. I continued to create. I shared only with the works of art within my home. After a few days before the artist reception, I submitted another work. I waited. People came. I shared with others Christ is my heart, along with my husband and children – those were the pieces I created, highlighted and shared. Near the end of the exhibition, I learned the piece had been accepted. I was elated.

I was delighted because the piece chosen means so much. It is of one of the three most loved people in my life. It depicts simplicity of a moment, among what may be perceived to be as chaos. It captures my desire to pause, and combine, and layer, and create, and appreciate, and love. It is a true reflection of who I am as an artist, and the authentic eye God has given me. Over six years ago, I did not possess a unique vision. I liked to mimic what I saw. But transformation causes us to set aside all we know and learn, to step into something new and bright and bountiful. This is what I see in this piece titled “New Life”.
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Good gravy God is good! He continues to create connections and opportunities to minister to more people in a way that truly utilizes the strength I've grown into through weakness, and the gifts He continues to bless lives with. I pray you have a blessed day and were blessed by this piece!