Summer's End

This painting is titled "Summer's End."   I painted it when we were in Traverse City 2 summers ago the week after Labor Day.   The beaches were mostly empty, not many boats on the bay...it was the winding down of summer...the goodbye to the sweet warmth of sunshine and long days...and the coming of colder nights and shorter days.

The change in seasons is a reminder to me that our seasons of life change as well.  The trials and situations we face will change.   We will change as we grow in wisdom and mature in the Lord, as we survive hardship, raise children, care for ailing loved ones and accept death.

The constant is God.  He is the same yesterday, to day and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  God remains steadfast to move with us  through each day and each season each heartache and each joy.

And as seasons change we can begin anew, feeling a refreshing of possibilities.  Each day is a new beginning with the Lord (Lamentations 3:23).  When we draw close to Him he will lead us into the new season.  He will equip us with His Spirit of encouragement and comfort and love.

May you enter a new season of hope and joy today.
Laura

What Are You Waiting For?

This is a watercolor illustration I did some years ago.  It's my youngest daughter and the dog du jour. She was watching TV and he was watching the cookie.  He could sit like that for hours and be satisfied with just a crumb.  But he was also opportunistic.  If Jenna let her feet relax he'd be inhaling cookie and she'd be screaming.  But the dog considered the wait as part of the reward.

   Sometimes it seems like life is always waiting for  one thing or another.  

The good kind of waiting...Graduating from high school seemed so monumental - waiting four years for that ceremony.....and then it was over and on to college and a job....waiting for the right career....waiting for the right man...waiting for the wedding day, then children, then a house.  

Then Crisis Waiting:  waiting for a strike to end (which happened right after we bought that house), waiting for a loved one's radiation treatments to end, waiting for hours in an emergency waiting room for a loved one who didn't make it. . . 

Waiting is not easy, but I do know that God is with us in the waiting, 

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. (Psalm 39:7)

Whatever you are waiting through right now, my heart goes out to you.  Trust that God loves you and will work things out for your good.  And together we have that time to wait and look forward to the day when Christ returns.  That is a Great thing to await.

If there was a time when you were waiting and God's Wonderful Words blessed you, would you share them with us in the comments?  Also, I would be blessed to pray for you.  If you have a special need leave a comment, or just even simply, 'pray for me'.  And I will pray...immediately...you won't have to wait.

God bless you today.

Laura

P.S.  If you would like to read some other posts about Waiting On God follow this link.  At the bottom of the new page you will find more links by other bloggers.

Stop and Read!

I did this painting from a remembrance of my youngest granddaughter at her 2nd birthday party.  She was wearing Dora flip-flops, and a ballet tutu.  In the middle of opening presents she opened a gift from her great-grandparents, a book.  With a pile of gifts still unopened she stopped to look at the book.  She paused for what was important to her.  We all laughed and were in a little bit of awe that a simple book captivated her.  We eventually had to hide the book so she would continue opening presents.

I must confess that too often I take the 'Book' for granted.  I neglect to read and even more treasure what is within the pages of God's Word.  It is his love letter to us.  It is a history book, a poetry book, a song book, a book of the greatest wisdom ever.  A chronicle of God's  plan for us.  It brings hope, and encouragement.  It breathes the Spirit of God who desires a relationship with us.

O, how I love thy law!  It is my meditation all the day.  Psalm 119:97

Stop for what is important.  Stop and read  His book today!
Laura

Be Kind...Even to Yourself

Be Kind

Do you have a problem being kind to yourself?  I do.  It's easier for me to encourage others than it is to lift myself up.

If you've read some of my past blogs, you know that at the age of 58 I made a prayerful decision (along with my husband) to actively pursue a life-long desire. . . illustrating and writing children's picture books. Then and now I believe God has called me to do this. I've been at it almost a year now, taking some classes, researching, building a portfolio, honing my skills, being part of a group of writers/illustrators.  You would think I would have moved up the ladder.  However....

Two weeks ago I was in a large book store in the children's section looking for a birthday gift for one of my granddaughters.  When I stood surveying the wall of children's books and seeing some wonderful treasures of beautiful illustrations, stories and indescribable talent I was suddenly overwhelmed.  Tears stung my eyes and I thought, "why does the children's book world need the likes of my drawings or stories?  The self-doubts flooded my thoughts and I slid down the ladder.

On the ride home my husband said, 'you're awfully quiet...watcha' thinking?'  I told him what happened and the question I asked, "why does the children's book world need the likes of  me?  He said, "and what was your answer to the question?"  Big help.   I expected a little more encouragement, a little more bolstering of my ego.  But his question also irritated me because I had no response.  *sigh*

For two weeks the  question has plagued me.  Well, truth be told - it's the answer to the question that is haunting me.   If I can't answer with something like, "because I have a supremely unique gift of talent, imagination and delightful insight" then maybe I don't have what it takes.  Just because I like to draw and tell stories may not be enough if I don't believe people will like what I do.

I've never been a self promoter.  I'll show my art or stories to my family, but beyond I'm pretty timid. When my daughter said, 'Mom, you need to start a blog to promote yourself,' I asked why?  and if you look at the number of posts here, you know I'm still not convinced people would really want to hear my thoughts.  I have friends and family who are all wonderfully encouraging, yet I think, 'well, they just say nice things so they won't hurt my feelings.'

Then today when I was emailing a completed drawing to my art class for an online critique something clicked.  The title of the drawing, "Be Kind" is from Ephesians 4:32, "And be ye kind one to another..."  If another aspiring artist would have voiced the same doubts to me  I would have been all over them with  encouragement and affirmations.  Yet I wasn't doing that for myself.   I'm usually a glass half-full type of person, yet here I was draining my own glass with discouragement and doubt.

I was also doubting God. Oh-oh.   That's never a good thing. I was doubting that this is his purpose for me.   Proverbs 3:26 states  For the Lord shall be [my] confidence, and shall keep [my] foot from being taken...e.g. slipping down on the ladder.

So - I've decided, I will be kind to myself.  I will give myself affirmation, encouragement and believe that God has called me to pursue this for his glory. ...and if once in a while you want to send me a little kind note, or a thumbs up, I'll accept it as genuine.  I am going to firmly plant my feet on the ladder rungs and move up with the Lord as my confidence.  

And my answer to the question? 1 Peter 4:11   ". . . if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."     .

And now I have to quickly post this because I'm beginning to think it's not very interesting or something you would want to read......grrr......Okay - I need to quickly memorize Prov. 3:26.

New Year's Resolution & the Fear Factor

There is something enchanting about January 1st, a new year laying before us - without blemish or fracture.  A path waiting to explore, pursue and even dream. A time for New Year's resolutions, commitments and planning.  The New Year is like a piece of fresh white paper that can become a Mona Lisa, a Monet, or a paper airplane - depending on the hand that touches it.  I, like you, have my plans, purpose and dreams for this year.  But the other day as I was trying to establish my home work schedule.  I was frustrated by interruptions, some were welcomed, but the biggest frustration was the FEAR FACTOR.  The fear of FAILURE in my new endeavors.  Finally, I realized I was failing.  I was failing to include something in my planning.  I had not gone to the architect, the builder, the creator of all that is good for His encouragement. I was once again trying to do everything under ME-power.  You'd think at my age and years as a Christian I wouldn't need to be reminded about. . .
      Placing God first - even for encouragement!  Making him the foundation of any project is like buying one of those ubiquitous appliance warranties.   If something goes wrong - God is there to repair, to replace, to renew.  And he did send me encouragement through my oldest daughter.  She is a great cheerleader, strong Christian, and a motivator.  (You can meet her at  http://www.lessonsfromivy.com/).
      Okay - so now God has the master blueprint, our new year is blank and clean. . .waiting for his hand to touch it. . . to create. . . to shape. . . to be meaningful. . . to direct our lives. . .  then why does  fear keep gripping our heart and hand and mind and stalling us from doing and achieving our best?       
       Because, if we ourselves are not a clean slate - then how can we expect a marvelous working within the New Year?  If our hearts are not clean and focused on God we cannot see the blueprint, much less follow it. This scripture from Psalm 51:10 reminds us  to be renewed for the New Year, and for each day.  We can start by letting God clean our hearts and renew the 'right' spirit.  And if we have the right spirit - nothing is impossible for God.  And according to Psalm 37:4 when we  ' Delight thyself also in the LORD. . . he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.'
      What do you want to commit to God this year?  Is it your FEAR factor?  Leave a comment to share.

We CAN Be Perfect-Part 3: Healing

This discovery of being able to become PERFECT has been exciting to me, so I hope you don't mind one more day.  Be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2  to catch up if you haven't already.

Part 3-Healing.   My favorite definition of 'perfect' is found in 6 places in the New Testament. The Greek is 'kartartizo,' which means 'to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair; make one what he ought to be. '  It is found in  Luke 6:40, Ephesians 4:12, 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, Hebrews 13:21, and 1 Peter 5:10  Each refers to the 'perfecting' of the saints.  In this chapter of Luke, Jesus is addressing the multitudes and his disciples.  He has been warning of not judging, being merciful, loving our enemies.  Then he states, 'The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.'  This  'perfect' is describing a state of being mended.  As do the other references.  God knows we are not without fault, no one is (Romans 3:23).  BUT-God wants to mend what is broken. 
    So many of us have come through great heartaches, crisis, disappointments and devastating life events that have affected who we are.    Anger, sorrow, bitterness, hatred and pride are Satan's tools to separate us from the One who can heal.  Jesus came to bind up our wounds (Isaiah 61:1).  His great love provides a soothing balm to mend and repair and to make us what we ought to be.  For my 3 year old granddaughter, a band-aid does wonders to soothe a hurt and make it better.  Imagine that Jesus has so much more.  He can reach into our hurting hearts, touch our aching souls, restore relationships, and give hope for that we do not see.  He loves us.  He wants perfection for us--which is to be bound to the very heart of God.
     Do you need that touch of perfection?  Tell me-I will pray and partner with Jesus for your 'mending.'