“I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.”
3 John 1:4 NLT
“This is what the Lord says: “I will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity. The wealth of the nations will flow to her. Her children will be nursed at her breasts, carried in her arms, and held on her lap. I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child.” When you see these things, your heart will rejoice. You will flourish like the grass! Everyone will see the Lord’s hand of blessing on his servants— and his anger against his enemies.”
Isaiah 66:12-14 NLT
No money was made in the making of this video using the song Hold On To Me by Lauren Daigle. I own no rights to this music.
This broken world can weigh down on my heart and chest making it hard to breath sometimes. I have been struggling with so many things that are out of my control lately which is pushing me into a state of surrender. That is where I need to remain at all times. Somehow I find myself again and again trying to control things. My good intentions can create division rather than love and unity. I have to give it all to God!
The pregnant woman I painted represents so many things. March is women history month so I wanted to honor Mothers! Mary, mother of Jesus, who was a 1st century Galilean Jewish woman of Nazareth. According to christian theology Mary conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit. God came down from heaven in the form of a baby to forgive all our sins and have victory over death. When I think about Jesus’ life from conception leading up to the cross I always think about his mother. All the feelings and emotions that must have ran through her from the immaculate conception to the brutal death of her son. I am so blessed to be a mother to my amazing son who is 25 yrs old. The love I have for him is unshakable and I would do anything for him. I cannot imagine being in Mary’s situation going through all that she did. But God always has a plan.
I thank God for the love of my mother who is always there for me. I know I can hold on to her for strength and support no matter what’s going on. She is a wise, faith filled, imperfect godly woman who has nonstop showed me unconditional love. She reminds me that I have to let go and just love. I’m so blessed to have her in my life. She has taught me that the real power can only be found in Jesus.
This painting represents the pure love of a mother and the eternal love of our creator. Both powerful forces that can change the world.
God gave us the gift of his only son who is a living example of how God wants us to live our lives. God also sent the Holy Spirit to guides us through this life. We all have God within us and everything you see is created by God. It’s amazing that we can tap into that power anytime we just have to let go and trust. Letting go is such a challenge for me. I’ve been hurt so many times that I try to control situations so I don’t feel pain again. Or I see someone I love struggling and I think I can save them. But somehow I always hurt myself or others worse when I try to do it my way.
I paint to work through things that are going on in my life. Sometimes I have no idea what the painting will turn out to be it literally unfolds right in front of me as well. The entire process is a conversation with God letting my guard down and letting the Spirit flow through me.
I just recently decided to deactivate all social media outlets indefinitely to make a stand for all of humankind, including myself, that are falling into the trap. The trap of distraction, envy, jealousy, insecurities, comparison, constant competition, social status and the disconnection of real human interaction. Too many people are hypnotized by technology and social media absolutely obsessed with posting every minute of their life to still find themselves unfulfilled. I’ve been struggling with the effects it’s having on young people especially my niece because I have been down the dark empty road of seeking the wrong attention which turned into years of addictions, depression, emptiness and suicidal attempts. It’s so different with the internets infinite distractions. The woman in the painting also represents my nieces mother who was pregnant with her when my nieces dad (my brother) died tragically in a plane crash just months before she was born. His death has sent ripples into all of our lives effecting each of us in our own ways for the last 14 years. I feel absolutely helpless not being able to help people I love, protect them or take away their pain. I pray that we can all hold on to Gods love to find strength and peace through it all.
I’ve been so lost that I didn’t think I would ever find a way but there is definite hope if I finally saw the light. I know that praying is all I can do and offer unconditional love even if it’s from a distance. I pray for the youth that have only known technology and social media to be the center of their life to find nature, feel the connection and seek the things that truly matter. I pray that they open their hearts and hear the truth that there is a better way. A way full of light and love. I pray that they realize they are loved just the way they are. There is hope if we hold on to the one who created this whole existence.
“Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.”
Luke 1:46-48 NLT
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your artwork. It’s absolutely beautiful and the video showing the process gives a great insight into your amazing talent! I think it is also a wonderful way to give praise to the Lord as you describe your inspiration for the painting. Thank you again 🙂
It is an absolute pleasure to share and a calling that cannot be ignored. Thank you for the really nice comment🙏🏼God gets all the glory!