Art

Her mom had a doctors appointment....another baby on the way...YEAH!!! And Catherine and I got to spend the morning together....just us. My daughter Jennifer and Catherine have been attending a mother/daughter art class each Monday...and I was to be the substitute mom. It had been a long time since I sat one on one during artful quality time with a little one. Each week the teacher introduces the works of a master artist...and artful influences of the region from where they are from...and then crafts are designed to reflect the works or colors or style etc. This week was an artist from Africa so lots of color was a big deal. I watched as Catherine carefully selected the colors she would dip into from her muffin pan of measured paints. She was meticulous... and very much wanted to do it herself....and there was no scrimping on the amount of paint that she loaded up her brush with...I watched around the table as each child went about the chore in a different manner....achieving the same purpose. Art is an experience....to each a different viewpoint, a different measure of interest and a varying way to be involved...based on senses, perspective, gifted or acquired ability, and motivation.

Consider for a minute if you were in an art class....with several others...would you be content and confident to come up with your own style, your own take on the activity that was presented, and that you were there to participate in... or would you have an urge to look around and see first how others had perceived the challenge? I watched as my little two and half year old listened and then went to work...she flat didn't care about what anybody else was doing...she was focused on her own materials and dedicated to creating her own masterpiece. She was confident...in her ability...and understood the task.

We are all built differently....with differing gifts and talents...but we are all created for one purpose and that is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. God has spelled our our assignment...To love him first, love others....and then let self be a far distanced third. He has given us the tools and materials to help us accomplish his mission for our lives....his word, His adhered to promises made centuries ago that are still valid today, through people who have shared and witnessed his faithfulness, and our own reflections of his grace and his fulfilled promises inm our own lives.

These are all set before us as reminders that we are each artists with a canvas of life before us. But we personally have to take the initiative and have the motivation to explore the realms of possibilities and opportunities that Christ has created within us. It is a daunting task to some of us who are hesitant to let go of self embraced and comfortable ways...and are hesitant to trust in a uncertainty that is eternal....while it seems effortless to others who seem unafraid to pick up what is before them and explore God's possibilities with confidence.

We do look around and learn from others and pick up ways that are not innate....and entertain ideas that better enhance our senses for success...but in reality Jesus Christ stands in our classroom...and introduces to us an assignment for His day.
The questions are "are we paying attention", "do we want to be engaged in his project" and "do we have the confidence to trust in his way?" Our approaches will be different...that is His blessing....for different approaches are needed to interact with differing situations. We "can" and "should" be confident when asked by Christ to come along side of Him...for he would not have asked if he had not already planned what his ultimate use of us would be....in glorifying him. He made us just as we are...and continues to mold us to his perfection through painted strokes of His love that covers our insecurities, His forgiveness that covers our sins and his grace that is poured out from his blood.

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

We each have been presented with a life canvas...and Christ has equipped us with materials designed to help us create His masterpiece....in us and through us! Christ knows just how to weave the darkened threads of sadness, suffering, adversity and trials that we have endured to bring a depth and mystery of soulful unconditional love to contrast His glorious colors of joy and peace and contentment. If only we stay focused on His teachings...and embrace His style into our resources...we will begin to see and celebrate the beauty of his work and his influence upon our lives.

I watched as Catherine's tiny hands painted her "masterpiece" for that day with assurance....My hands are tiny too in the eyes of our mighty God...and he too watches to see what I do with my canvas for this day. My I have the confidence that comes from Christ alone to go forth...his way and through his influence....for His glory!

Dear Lord, Guide my mind and my hands as I embark on this new day....may the strokes that I paint be glorifying to you and a blessing to behold for those that I meet along the way! Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!