A Grateful Heart
Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:8-9
WITH A GRATEFUL HEART, I thank my LORD for the opportunity to create with both paints and words. One on canvas, the other on screen. In both ways, I share His loving kindness and tender mercies. He alone satisfies my thirsty soul and hungry heart with good things. I lift my trembling hands to Him, and He opens my mind’s eye to paint concepts in visual reality.
In this seasonal transition, I watch winter’s breath extinguish fiery autumn leaves and strip branches clean. Tree and shrub life-blood drops into roots until spring whispers again. With harvest completed, all lies bare beneath the stars until frost crystalizes in lace on naked branches and gently falling snowflakes blanket the land.
This painting celebrates Thanksgiving with a garden harvest before morphing into a silent white winter. In this place, my latent creativity awakens to paint-tubes and brushes. Despite dark skies, an invisible sun brightens the foreground.
Not photo reality, but impressions of things define my new artistic style. My artist friend loaned me several Impressionistic Artists videos, and I’m relating…somewhat. Will I create masterpieces this winter? If I do, only I will know the value of struggling to make color and pattern meaningful to me now. What will life and purpose look like as I learn to fly solo and discover a new identity?
Despite its beauty, the winter world appears dead and abandoned. Will my heart find new beauty, a solace for what I’ve lost? Winter’s sun breaks through dark clouds to illuminate the present with a blinding brightness not seen before. Hope whispers, though distant, it promises new life once again. What future will the Master paint? I cannot know, except I walk by faith into His promises one day at a time.
He picks up bushes of wise and loving providence to miraculously paint my life in a way that reveals His character. Fear is the expectation of evil and seeks to overcome my trust. Yet, I choose to expect good from my LORD. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame” (Rom 12:11).” And, “The LORD has become my fortress, and my God, the rock in whom I take refuge (Psa 94:22). In you, LORD, I take refuge and give thanks.
Yet, I feel winter’s chill deep inside my aging bones. I hear (barely) North Wind howling outside my dimming window panes, and I snuggle beneath my down comforter with groans. Tears run silently into the pillow I embrace. I will dream of health and strength and spring, new life and possibilities, pictures to paint and stories to write, and people to love. Too many imaginations and sleep escapes. So I toss and turn nearly until dawn. And when morning comes, I walk again by faith, not sight, and not in my own strength.
Even now, in winter’s grip, He peels away anxiety because I lay my burdens at His feet with thanksgiving. I look into a grey wintery sky and know the Son shines ever more brightly above the clouds. And one of these days, I’ll awaken to a new morning, a glorious day when winter melts into eternal spring—the most incredible Thanksgiving Day of all!
10 COMMENTS
MarJean, your creativity lifts my heat. Both the painting and your writing. Please continue to encourage us as long as God allows.
Love Margo
Dearest Margo, SO good to hear from you!! Thank you for letting me know that God is using my offering to Him. I purpose to continue as long as He gives me health and strength and dear friends to encourage me.
Such beautiful imagery! Both in your words and your painting! I especially love the idea of the Lord painting our future. I’m so thankful that He is giving you the inspiration and desire to write and paint again!
Thank you, dear Sherrilyn! God has used you to encourage me to continue to trust Him for that inspiration and courage. We need each other, and what a blessed gift you are!!
MarJean, your words and painting bring such life one to the other. So wonderful the way they both shine light from the imagery of nature to our lives as well as our faith and the truth of our Lord.
Thank you so much for sharing of yourself in this way that blesses others.
Thank you for your kind response, dear Kimberly Marie! My thoughts and prayers will continue with you and I already thank Him for all the redeeming work He will do in your precious life!!
The first time I read your painting and then the words with it I was left speechless as it moved me so. God is enabling you to paint and write a painful yet compelling journey.
I praise him for your offering.
Lue
Jeannie, I see and hear your creativity springing to life again. Despite the tears, the lonely nights, the awareness of what and who you have lost, I love your statement that “I walk by faith into His promises one day at a time.” Isn’t that how our Father wants us to walk? I get sidetracked, but that is the only way to walk in faith – faith forward, one day at a time. Thank you for sharing the creativity the Master has put inside you in paint and words. Much love.
Dear MarJean,
God has given you such a gift for sharing hard and painful experiences in such a beautiful way, giving hope and encouragement to us, and glory to God, May you continue to find peace and healing in His loving care.
Thank you for sharing your incredible gifts of writing and painting.
❤️ Kandy
Oh, dear Kandy, it is words like yours that give me the courage to write and paint. I keep telling God, “I can’t do this.,” but then, words like yours remind me that it is about Him and His power that do what I cannot do, which is to reach into people’s hearts to encourage them. May He richly bless you and keep you ever near His heart.
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