Hope.

Faith is having hope in that which we cannot see.  Hope gives joy.  

Hope is alive with color.  It helps us to rise up....even in the midst of our suffering.

Hope is life giving.  Nothing survives for long without it.

Faith, love and hope strengthen each other.  They hold us up.  Hope is life giving.

We have a hope and future.  There are beautiful, unimaginable plans for our lives.  

'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,  plans for welfare and not for evil.

Plans to give you a FUTURE and a 

HOPE.

Jeremiah 29:11

There is hope for you.    Our God is not promising to just 'get us through' our pain.  He is not promising to numb us so we can survive the pain until it lets up.  No.  He is promising to love us through our pain.  He is blessing us within our pain.  Not 'with' pain, but in it.  He will not allow our pain to be useless.  He can use anything.  He can redeem anything.  

My pain is a pathway.  My pain is sanctified. My pain is of great value.  My pain is poetry.  

Hope.

Rest.

Today was one of those days I kind of dreaded when I woke up.  I felt under the weather but knew I had lot's to get done.    I was asked to lead worship at my church every Thursday morning and I happily said yes 2 weeks ago.  But I do always dread lugging my piano around.  It's super heavy and I'm not incredibly fond of carrying big things.

Shouldn't we all be free spirits like this?  Does this cat look stressed as he plays with the dogs tail?

And.....packing the girls lunches was tough today  being that I'm on a health kick and all the food in the house was totally yucky.....at least to an 8 and 6 year old.  That meant I had to also go to the grocery store after church.
I also volunteer at the girls school on Thursday and Friday to walk their classes to the park.  Did I mention  that I hate the cold, too?

Oh boy.....what a baby I've been today!

So after all this, I was looking forward to going home and resting a bit with a heating pad on my belly and the comfort of a couple of midol.   Then, my friend calls and requests that my kids come over after school and play with her kids.  

Yay!!!

So I go home, thinking I'd really better get come things done while the kids are gone.  But......I also got a lovely feeling.

Rest is good.  So are new friends.

Lay down.  Relax.  You've done enough today.  All that stuff you feel like you must do will be there tomorrow.  Take a nap.
And I did.   With the fire going.  And the phone turned off.  And the new cat sleeping, curled up next to me.  And although my belly doesn't feel much better, my spirit does.
Rest. Is. Good.

Ah.....rest.

And I'd also like to share a new painting.  There is a wonderful gentleman name Rick who I have dubbed my junkman (He's FABULOUS) who occasionally finds me awesome things to paint on.  He dropped off this amazing antique, wooden plate a few weeks ago at the gallery.  It was screaming for an angel inside it.

And a few days ago,  my awesome hubby redid my studio for me.  Ah......nothing screams rest like a nice, clean work space.

Now.....shut down your computer and go get some rest.

Good Night.

Back to normal....

Is anyone as happy as I am that life is getting back to normal after the holidays??  I'm thrilled!  It's totally dead at the gallery and I couldn't be happier.  I'm cleaning, organizing (a huge feat for me) and actually doing art projects that I WANT to do....not have to do.  Glory!!!

On the plane ride to New York I finally finished a new poem.  It's funny with me and poetry.....I LOVE to write.  I'll write 4-5 poems in a month sometimes.  And then?  I'll literally go several years without writing another one.  But they really do sell well for me and I wish the 'urge' would hit me more often.  I guess it all goes back to my ADD!

It still needs some tweaking but here goes....  

GETTING THERE

On days like these when doubt creeps in

And You just keep losing where You expected to win

The rain seems to pour when You're  needing the sun

You could use some  company but  find there's no one.

There's a storm all around and Your drenched with tears

The mirror keeps reminding you've put on a few years.

 Each step forward is met with 2 steps back

And that storm keeps whispering all the qualities You lack. 

When The Thunders rolls on all you hear is the roar

But the heartache can  show what's been overlooked before.

Pain can remind us who we are and what we've got.

To hold up our heads and give it another shot.

Life is such a lovely song but when the rhythms out of time,

It's easy to think you're alone and the world is unkind.

But we're all together on this vehicle called earth

And we all have a story, a purpose and a worth.

The storm takes your confidence and tries to knock you down.

And you feel so lost when you want to be found.

Just unclench your fists and let others take hold.

Let the fire of God's love  chase away all the cold.

Giving ups a tough  choice and  can really pull you in

But you  have to wage a war with it time and time again.

And at times You'll lose the battle but I know You'll be okay.

One foot in front of the other.'. Just take it day by day..

Everyday we get one step closer to getting there.

Like I said.....still needs a little work.  

I also decided to start making my own backgrounds for the poems.  I'm assuming the scrapbook paper I've been using is copyright and now that I'm making copies for greeting cards....well.....better to be safe than sued.    Trying my hand at 'designer' is challenging but fun.  It's very freeing to just paint without a subject.  Just colors and shapes.  Back to the basics!

I also spent the day with Molly and her class visiting an assisted living home.  I had to add this lovely photo of Molly helping an elderly friend with a craft.  She makes my heart melt.  She really does have that special something that you just can't teach.  God gave her the gift of love and mercy.  I wish I were more like her.

And now it is officially past my bedtime.  Nighty night.  Glad to be back on track and blogging again!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!