Renewed Inspiration

This flowing stream was painted for a client while my husband attended seminary, and I student-taught art in a nearby high school. Our meager finances motivated me to do this painting, rather than some more worthy cause. I sold it and never thought to take a snapshot of it. However, my sister-in-law recently visited those people, took a picture of my painting on their wall, and emailed it to me.

After fifty years, I looked at it with different eyes. Did I really paint this? The artwork surprised me with its watery blues and greens, the contrast of dark, graceful branches, and the effect of filtered light on the rushing water. I look at it today and realize God inspired me to do this to remind me of His flowing grace over all the rocks and around all the painful obstacles of my life. How beautiful His amazing grace becomes day after day to those who put their trust in Him! How it refreshes my soul with its life-giving properties!

Bless the LORD!

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagles.

Psalm 103:1-5