Last year we had dinner with a missionary family from our church. We sat across the table from this couple and listened. I was in awe of what they were doing. They live and serve in Zimbabwe, often under very dangerous conditions. The list of all that they deal with and suffer through, was far too much for my mind and heart to handle over a plate of spaghetti. We left that dinner and I looked at my husband and said “We are losers”. The same was true this past week. We had yet another dinner with one of my favorite people walking this planet. His name is Doug and he is the Executive Director for Tiny Hands International (you see their “One Girl” button over on the right side of my blog). The work that they do in the name of Christ, is the work most of us wouldn’t dare even think about, much less be a part of. But he does it, along with an amazing team all over the world. Again, my husband and I left our time with him and were too humbled to really even speak in the car on the way home.
So what’s a girl to do that thinks painting has something to do with her purpose? Painting. I would feel a lot less guilty if the passion in my heart was more clearly servant-like. I know I’m being cynical, and I certainly do not mean to offend any artists out there that might be reading. My heart tells me that Jesus is all over this painting thing, but then I hang out with people like Doug and I think “who the heck cares about a painting”! I just can’t help but wonder what God is up to with me. Why oh why do I feel such passion for painting? Until I figure this out, in the meantime, I’m going to keep painting because I simply cannot, not paint.
So while we are on the subject of art, are you familiar with Susie Pryor’s work? She is a genius and her art is like beautiful poetry. Here are a few my favorites:
I love every single thing she has ever painted, and since I do not have an art teacher, I’m allowing her work to teach me a few things. I painted a couple of her little girls as practice and to date, they are my favorite paintings I have completed copied (disclaimer: they are stacked in my art corner and were only painted as practice, for my experimentation, never to be claimed as my own). A new artist friend of mine told me recently “God has enough creativity to go around for all of us”. She is so right, but the question is do I have enough faith to trust him? Maybe. I’m getting braver and braver. But for now, here is my practice. I loved painting these and I learned so much, these are mine:
I have got to start painting my own stuff…have I ever said that before?!?
Amy
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Amy – they are awesome. I would hang them in my house in a minute. Keep practicing because you have a real talent.
First of all, I think your painting are amazing!!! You are really talented!
So many times, you write posts that just really speak to how I’m feeling at the time, and this post and the last one are like that. Lately, I have struggled with finding purpose in life. Beyond raising my children, it just seems like everything I enjoy doing is rather pointless. After giving it some thought, though, I think that God probably doesn’t want us to be all serious and meaningful all the time. Maybe he takes joy from watching us have fun. Each of us has our own unique interests and hobbies and things that we’re good at. Maybe, in a way, God paints through you and he writes poetry through some and he sings songs through others. Maybe we are his instruments.
Jill, You are so totally right…so very right! Love you girl!
PAINT! I have one in my den and love IT! I know I’m your Mother but you do have a talent and God wants you to put it to use. Just take off, you might be surprised what comes off that brush and gets on that canvas!
Love You!
Amy, I so feel you on this one. I love to take pictures! I love love love to capture moments that people say, “Oh that is the face I love!” It makes me happy and I feel that it is what I should be doing, but I am terrified!!!! Why are we so self-critical? I also study the photographers that I love and try to emulate those pieces that speak to me. You do the same thing. You don’t copy!!!! You just emulate!!! Your pieces at the bottom are stunning. If you ever want to sell that first painting, I would love to buy it. I looked right at it and thought it was Jemma. Name a price!
You have an amazing talent and you are serving God by doing what you love and making others happy when they see that work. You are a gift from God with your words and how you reach out to others through this blog. YOU are an inspiration!
God can use every gift for His purpose. Please keep painting. Your work, even though it is practice, is truly beautiful. Who knows, maybe you can auction off your paintings one day to raise money for those wonderful ministries you spoke of. Even though you see yourself as an amateur, your work is wonderful. I’m sure that there are many who would love to purchase your work, even more so if it were for such a worthy cause. Praying you find the path that the Lord has for your gift!
Amy,
The way I see it, expressing yourself through painting is the purpose. God gave you that gift. He created you with the desire and ability. Beauty is and always will be a part of His character. Remember all the beauty that is described in the Bible from Genesis to Revelations…descriptions of beautiful places and people. It seems to be no less important to Him than feeding a hungry child. There are different seven different redemptive gifts…prophet, exhorter, servant, giver, teacher, ruler, and mercy…which we operate from, with one of them being most prominate. Part of the mercy gift’s purpose is to create a setting or atmosphere…a mercy serves others by creating an optimal setting for life. You are important, significant, and highly blessed and and so is your desire to paint.
those are beautiful!
Just stumbled upon you via Pinterest. Your paintings are just beautiful! You know the quote about “good artists copy, great artists steal?” Your paintings have such a beautiful softness to them, and I love the neutral color palette. Please keep painting. You are very talented!
Keep painting.
it’s one of those places where your soul meets with the one who made you….I think when that happens and we come alive, our lives become contagious for HIM and people are drawn to him.
Isn’t it awesome that HE created each of us to meet him in certain ways, and when we meet with him those ways, our lives LIGHT UP and that LIGHT is a witness to HIS power?
Aweome.
keep painting, friend.
OH Amy, your paintings speak to me–they are just beautiful!! I would be proud to call one my one! Ever thought of selling???
Courtney
By the way–you are not a looser!!