Hibiscus Watercolor Sketch, Marcia Carole
I am preparing to draw a sketch for a mural on a church wall in Nicaragua. The hibiscus flowers should be in the mural. They are lush and plentiful down there. I am excited to collaborate with local artists and work in the style of the culture. What I need to work on is embracing the painterly style found in Nicaragua. I am studying their murals so I can learn how they express creation in their artwork. I am really enjoying the learning process.
Today, as I was sharing in my Sunday school class about the mural project and a couple of other upcoming experiences, one wise friend, Gary, asked me, “How is your heart?” Not my physical heart, but my spiritual, emotional heart. He always asks great questions that go right to the core of what might be up, and he almost takes one by surprise.
He once asked me what I am doing to stay close to the Lord during cancer. You know, what is your time with the Lord like each day? Since I am holding onto Jesus with all my being, I thought, well, most of my morning is one big time talking with Jesus, reading the Bible, listening to sermons, painting, praying and walking/talking to Him about everything. (I try NOT to have pity parties.) That sort of activity often continues well into the evening. Except the walk; 3.76 miles once is enough. But, I digress.
In response to his question, I mentioned holding on tightly to Jesus, which involves all of the above activities. The cancer is still with me, my spiritual “disciplines” are still there. Hmmm. there they are, side by side. He gave me the verse Psalm 119:71 as encouragement, and said he heard in my answer that I was learning much from the Lord.(His statutes)
Thanks, Gary, for helping me to have a ready answer.
Psalm 119:65-72
Be good to your servant, God;
be as good as your Word. (Great prayer here.)
Train me in good common sense;
I’m thoroughly committed to living your way.
Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place,
but now I’m in step with your Word.
You are good, and the source of good;
train me in your goodness.
The godless spread lies about me,
but I focus my attention on what you are saying;
They’re bland as a bucket of lard,
while I dance to the tune of your revelation. (What a beautiful picture!)
My troubles turned out all for the best—
they forced me to learn from your textbook.
Truth from your mouth means more to me
than striking it rich in a gold mine.
“You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.”― Corrie Ten Boom
Nicaragua Hibiscus
