Reflections

Reflections

Ten things I learned from living in 2014.

 “Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things.” 
- Arthur Schopenhauer

 Things I’ve Learned in 2014

    1.   Be grateful for good health. Kidney stone and gall bladder surgery stole a lot of my “good” months for exercise and fun. Now, I have blown the meniscus on both sides of my knee.  I am grateful that all these things can be fixed.

 2.   Give hugs and affirmations to those around you. In one breath, they can be on their eternal journey. We lost two dear relatives and a neighbor this year.

3.   Pray often. Prayer sustains. Prayer heals. Prayer comforts. Prayer gives me a conversation with God when no one else cares to listen.

4.    Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing, which lie and plot to take your money and give you nothing in return.  Do not buy a time-share ever; especially at Stormy Point in Branson.

5.     Forgive and pray for those who hurt you. Yep, I was devastated the first two days after we were scammed, but on the third day, I began to intercede for their souls.  Strange how giving it to Jesus, made my life return to order and peace.

6.     You’ll see whatever you are looking for. In pain, despair, or joy, I was looking for Jesus ,and He always showed up.  I was looking for love and found it as I extended it to my mate, my children, my grand children, and strangers too.

7.    Dinners shared make us all happy. Whether sharing a beach picnic, porch party, or a simple bowl of beans with my love of 48 years, having others to eat with make a simple dinner special.

8.    Nothing brings more pleasure than creating. Oil paint, turpentine, brushes,and canvas create the opportunity to share my soul in pictures.

9.    Breathe deeply. Be where my feet are planted. Live each day well and whether it was filled with trials, misunderstandings, frills, or silliness, cherish its worth and lessons given.

10.  Learn from our feathered friends. Sit and observe, wait your turn, defend your territory, and be blessed when strangers care for you.

Spiritual Skies and Lows

Spiritual Skies and Lows

I am learning to paint a sky.  I imagined it to be much easier than it is.  Bill Inman teaches me to glaze color on top of color to create the movement of the wind in the clouds.  He spends much of his time instructing me how to make light shine through these clouds.  I must insert tiny bits of light yellow into the tips of the clouds.  If my brush is too full of paint, I make a blob of yellow instead of a highlight.  I am immediately disappointed and wish I had not made the mistaken stroke.  I realize my error but often do not know how to fix it.  I am so distraught that I just want to quit, take my paints and go home.

For this reason, Bill is my instructor.  He immediately understands what I have done.  He explains that the wayward blob is a result of not using my brush correctly.  Again, for the umpteen time, he demonstrates how to use my brush.  Then, he tells me what color of paint is needed to obliterate my blob.

Painting is a spiritual endeavor.  My sky painting has taught me so much about my heavenly Father who created our sky.  I am reminded of the story of Abraham’s experience when he trusted God.  God instructed Abraham and he obeyed. His faith was tested when he was told to sacrifice his only son , Isaac.
(Genesis 22:1-19)  Abraham had the understanding that God would work things out. God would provide the sacrifice.  He had his confidence in God, not his ability to climb this mountain.  His faith was in God’s provisions, not in how awkward it was to ready his son for sacrifice.  His whole experience was a God thing, not an Abraham thing. 

I too must enter into a trust with each painting.  My strokes feel awkward and my blobs are disappointing.  However, by the hand of a master painter, I have renewed confidence.  He can instruct me how to turn away from using my brush incorrectly and how to make light highlight dark values. 

The  Word of God  instructs me on  how to live my life to create a painting that is pleasing to Him.  I have made some blobs and awkward strokes on my journey.  However, my God patiently instructs me again and again until my painting is complete and a beautiful representation of Him.

Just like Abraham, I have spiritual highs and lows.  I know each spiritual step is directed and corrected by my heavenly Father. Now, back to learning how to paint a sky.