sketching it in

This is it.  The final days, moments, and hours of 2010 are upon us.  A little dramatic, but when it comes to lasts I usually am.  If you are also a mother and fond of lasts then Let Me Hold You Longer  is a book I recommend.

We have ended our year with full plates, surgeries, illness, busy schedules... but also with lots of praise, prayers, encouragement, and worship.  I have also had time to reflect on my artwork and consider the possibilities I have for this season of my life.  I prayerfully will be bringing some new work into my shop such as stationary and prints.

Have a beautiful end of 2010!

Marching In Marching on

It has been too long, I know.  The sun has risen... and set how many times since I was here?  Ocean waves of time rolling in, rolling by.  Falls, kisses, goodnight tucks, story times...family laughter, family tears. 

All those precious moments quickly passing by.  The word of God tells me that I am nothing but a vapor, a mist....my time here so fleeting.  He blesses me so greatly...all these moments, gifts undeserved.  My hands mingle with my husband and I know he was planned for me from the beginning.  This, everything all wrapped up inside my Fathers hands.  His great hands who hold me and guide me. 

His hands hold my son, precious full of light eyes, precious full of giggles eyes, who it seems will have surgery, eyes.  His dear eyes that I saw coming out of the shower when he was days old and I felt I had known him all my life.  Just beginning to see eyes, captivating me, holding me for the rest of my lifetime. 

I feel week thinking about those eyes in surgery.  My God is so good to me...His promises are here.  I cry out to my God who holds me.  My name on His mighty palms. 

My son resting in his hands that heal eyes. 

Blue Run Down

The hairs gliding over the canvas feels good.  Texture in my hands, starting fresh, starting new.  Some I know what they will be, others are still unknown to me.  I don't know when it will all get done.  I once had all the time I could ever ask for, but it felt so empty in my hands.  

Stirring in the bedroom lets me know little ones will be up soon.  This too short time, so filled now.  I clean my brushes in the sink, watch the blue run down.  

Little ones ready to play.  Paint drying and waiting.

Before Me

I have to place His Word before me.  If I don't the laundry piles up and pushes in.  The dishes overflowing, pour out a river running wild.  To stop.  To say Stop.  Be still.  Eyes to see and ears to hear.

It is what I want.  The eyes to see and ears to hear what He is telling me.  

Sometimes it is hard to let it go.  Let the chaos out of grasp so that I can hold on to His word.  Too often I struggle with the balance.  But how faithful He is.  His Word, there to fill me up.  To remind me of why I am really here.  Of who I really am.  

"'Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?'Then I said, 'Here am I.  Send me!'"

To be an Isaiah.  To hear His calling and obey.  To know His glory, to know my state. 

Sun Yawn

In the last stretch of the day.  The water before us.  Three generations of boys to catch fish. 

 

My youngest and I enjoying the quiet.  

Enjoying the last yawning blooms.  The short season of fall produces one more burst, before winter comes.  Am I ready to see the flowers fade, the green slip away in coming months?  The stillness of winter.  The wind of winter?    

"Summer and Winter
Springtime and Harvest...
Join in all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness
Mercy and love"

For now the line stretches out on the water.  The sun glowing on our arms and clothes.  Warmth wrapped around us, dragonflies buzzing. 

Thy great faithfulness that will lead us through another season.  Another stretch.  "...Strength for today and a bright Hope for tomorrow."

At my Door

Fall has come to our doors.  Just as His word says that every season will come.

I painted these pumpkins about a year ago and felt it was time to share them.  They will be up in my Etsy shop if you are interested in having one. 

There is relief in knowing that the burning days of summer have reached an end.  The wind is refreshing as it blows across my face.  I watch the hair of my children rise as they face the gusts.  Another season coming and another goodbye.

Wall

I have been standing here for too long. It seems somedays I am tearing the wall down. Then the motion changes and I discover I am building it all back up.

These walls around me. Keeping me from letting go. My hand grips tight around my dreams, my hopes. It is all just a mist...a vapor. " You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4:14

These walls have to be taken down. My hand has to let go and trust. Trust. I hear his sweet words calling to me. Beckoning. Tear it down. Come close.

To have patience and wait. To see what He has for me... to see how I can glorify Him. To tear down and sit at His feet.