Reading an online magazine/booklet called Cultivate.. Answering a prompt.. see images..
Where would I meet you Jesus well I suppose in my imagination I’m not busy and I am not restricted. Definitely on a mountain with a view.. pet free. ((Full time puppy carer at the moment for my daughter and it’s busy))
Tonight I’ve changed my tune. It’s just here where I am Jesus. In my bedroom.. I’d even take the pup in here for a bit (even though Zali’s home) because you’d be here and you wouldn’t worry and he’d probably lay at your feet quite comfortably. Although maybe I should be somewhere more comfortable for you. I’m happy to sit on my bed. But I have pillows behind my back and my feet up. Perhaps out in the lounge be better though it’s puppyfied. I just made that word up!
There’s a peace here LORD so I’m aware of you. I woke up earlier then my alarm this morning Zali starts at 8am. And a weird dream woke me up which I can still remember some of.
Being in a bus travelling with rich people, well some were. And the bus driver jumped out to save a woman being chased by a big bear even though we don’t have bears in Australia. Not big brown or black bears. And we had driven in on some very narrow and winding roads. And we were deep in bush land perhaps on the mountain top. And the road was rugged and stony. I think the bus driver has tried to distract the bear so the lady could escape him running after her. But it had not worked. I woke up with a start.
The dream disturbed me because I had a feeling the driver would take off after the woman to try and help her. But in my mind I thought nobody else can drive this bus and especially on dangerous roads down the mountain. If the driver gets lost looking for the woman whom he may not find what will happen to all of us? We’d be stuck here and maybe he couldn’t help her anyway? Or maybe there were more bears around that could be harmful to the bus driver too? My mind was reeling with such thoughts. I didn’t get back to sleep and it was extra early before my alarm was to go off..
Do you sacrifice one to save the rest, or at least try to help the lady?
I realised though it was just a dream and probably sent to spiritually disturb me. Many of my dreams lately I have woken up when something bad just happened in my dream. When someone was injured or hurt or someone was disturbed with me and always before I could do anything to help or change it. Immediately I wake up with a jolt.
I wake up with a really disturbing feeling or desire to want to solve it feeling.. but obviously I can’t..
Jesus what does it mean? Is there a meaning to it? And why talk about this when it’s supposed to be about imagination?
I feel for people who don’t have this peace.. like I should be so exhausted right now.
But I feel calm and I’m even writing at this late time of day. Tomorrow is another early morning wake up to look after the pup..
I guess the thing is I know I woke from a bad dream earlier then I needed too.. I’m busy looking after Zali’s pup all day.. and up early again tomorrow and today experienced stomach pains as well.. and an upset tummy.. Early in the evening I’d just closed my eyes for a few minutes as the pup slept beside me taking that time to rest knowing the pup was safe atm.. I don’t think I got much rest just a few moments..
Yet this peace is there right now and calmness and I’m not feeling tired and it defies the circumstances so I clearly see God with me helping me.. even Zali’s work shift got covered today so she could study this afternoon for the possible Air hostess course.. She had a test too so it wasn’t till later this evening I could relax.
Dustin a friend tells me how demons can manipulate the atmosphere well it must be said also that angels must change the atmosphere because I’m at peace and there’s no worries and it cannot be just me or my atmosphere?!?
Thank you Jesus for being here strong like this for me because the one thing I can trust for all of this is right now is this sense of your presence..
If your presence is felt so strongly like this when I’m home always not going anywhere or seeing anyone or doing much or wondering how its going to go.. then things are meant to be this way for now or at least I can just trust without knowing or understanding or even doing much!!
I have not done digital art in I do not know how long, and I do not write at all these days.
I forget how easy it is to make small marks when digital drawing and if you use layers it can be frustrating trying to find exactly where the mistake is. But having multiple layers does mean you can fix things and delete things easier instead of having to restart whole sections. Although this art is simple it makes me extremely happy. It is inspired by a photo last night taken with my iPhone. The sky was so pretty. Really beautiful soft pastel colors.
It is a painting of a newly created road close to where I live. The area right now is peaceful but will soon be filled with the construction of many houses and I can imagine for a while maybe years it will be crazy busy. It is a new subdivision which was originally farmland. There are ugly type of fences around it atm but thankfully there is still full access to the horizon and I will surely miss that.
The newly constructed road has been fenced off to traffic also people, so it is fully blocked down the other end. But you can just see a few little streetlights in my painting as behind this empty land there are fully housed subdivisions already built. Originally, we were living on the very edge of town and there was only farmlands on the other side. But over the years since we moved here it has slowly succumbed to many small new house lots.
So many things about this painting resonate with my life and are meaningful to me. It has mistakes and I can’t draw trees well and it is not to scale but it speaks of peace and new possibilities.
It was such a stressful day yesterday. I lost control of my Instagram account. I was trying to help someone on there and unfortunately it was a hacker and not long after trying to help them I felt a gut feeling that something was not right and immediately said I am sorry.. Stopped and blocked them and changed all my passwords but unfortunately after doing that I couldn’t get back into the account. Thankfully I did not send anything personal to the hacker but whatever I did do to help them has ended with my account being closed to me and I cannot access it at least for now. Keanu one of my sons tried to help for hours.. At this point I am still locked out. It’s a horrible feeling.. I got acute anxiety during all this to the point it made me physically sick. My world closed in on me or so it felt… tis a horrible horrible feeling. I pray. I asked others to pray. That helped. I believe it is spiritual not just physical. I have dealt with anxiety before.
Also later in the evening I went for a walk with my dog and it helped too.. gave me some peace and I also did some digital art. This is the result. I think perhaps I just so much want for something to come out of all that has happened to me or has not been happening in my life. Sometimes when a new trial comes all the other things I have been through just sort of all crowd into my mind.. it all comes to my memory at once and I feel why, why, why? Why is this happening to me and what have I to show for it?
My art is something to show for it. And I don’t feel alone with it. I feel that sharing helps and might even help someone else.
If you pray let’s pray together all over the world.. concerning Covid and those suffering from it. All grieving losses.. those sick. those putting plans together.. everything to do with the vaccinations no matter what your belief.. Our beautiful city of Melbourne is in its second week of lock down.. and today more cases.. it is overwhelming for everyone.. what to do.. what not to do.. Thank you to anyone who prays..
Father God I don’t know how to pray but I pray nevertheless.. all of us have been affected by this.. if not sick.. or lost a loved one.. we have had vaccinations or been masked and separated. Our businesses and families. Our leaders and children.. affected.. lockdowns.. and fear.. and worry.. so much death in some parts of the world.. medical staff facing more risks… Father God for those grieving or suffering please send comfort, strength and healing.. How to make it safe and keep trading? How to vaccinate safely? We do get it wrong as humans that’s obvious. Help us LORD to find the best way through.. And give us wisdom and favour to beat this thing.. and live safely and in peace.. Thank you for health.. thank you for health workers.. and thank for leaders who carry the responsibility of making laws and decisions every day for the people they lead especially at time’s like this. help them be filled with compassion and grace and wisdom.. thank you for this day.. amen
Gods grace gives me hope that HE the LORD was forever perfect for me and did all that was required by the law of God for salvation.. So my faith rests on HIM and not on my own accomplishments. I am so glad about this. Though of course others around me will continue to strive and rise up and they do in all areas of life.. And they work hard and they deserve the gratitude and admiration they receive. I would never want to take away or dismiss peoples hard work or dull their shine.. Never ever ever.
HE is the one that gets my full admiration and attention because HE hears the silent tears fall. HE sees the dust and chewed nails and messy room and HE still loves me and I am incredibly moved because I don’t feel the condemnation that some people who have done great things give off.. I feel special even if its just for being myself.
Nikita Gill quotes.. Just existing on some days is more than enough. The flowers do it every day and they add beauty to the world just by being here.
I have been doing no art. Just haven’t been into it. First time I have written in ages. Everything in me just sort of shut down but kept existing. Nothing to say. Its been weird really.
I have been reading some of Joseph Prince and it has been encouraging me. I have found his books here and there when I op shop which is thrift store hunting. I also found a cd teaching and had to buy it lol but I am deaf will never hear it unless I am miraculously healed.. It was only 2 dollars I just could not leave it!
So I am going to quote a bit that I read recently that really helps me. Not many in the past came here and I can understand if followers give up on me because I am rarely here but you never know if only one person needs encouragement too and finds this and it helps them.. It is so worth sharing it.
Talking about the paralyzed man whose four friends took him to Jesus on earth because he was known to heal the sick during his earthly ministry. They couldn’t get in the door so lowered him through the roof.. Jesus said words to the man first instead of just healing him on the spot.
‘Son, Your sins are forgiven you.’ Which seems weird doesn’t it when the man was coming for healing..
Quoted from the book page 122 of Grace Revolution by Joseph Prince..
“But Jesus knew it was exactly what this poor man needed to hear for his healing to manifest. And indeed, at Jesus’ next words, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home,” the paralyzed man “jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers” (Mark 2:11-12 NLT). What had transpired? Jesus saw, when no one else could, that the man needed to hear he was forgiven, that God was not condemning him. And those words opened the door to his healing and broke him loose from his paralysis.
For me its not about the healing really. It is about the no condemnation. That speaks so loudly and clearly to me.
Recently some family friends came here to visit my parents who I house-share with. When I had my break down they helped me in the past. I went in to say hi which I don’t always do when my parents have visitors.
I am so grateful and thankful for the help they gave. But one of the things God has taught me is He has been with me as I am and HE doesn’t see me and treat me the way people do. I have not felt condemned by God and I learn to take the bad and pull out the good from it. Even though on my pathway I have been led differently to others around me and it hasn’t always been understood and supported. One thing God has done for me is lead me in a way so that I’ve had to keep my sight directly on HIM and learned to walk in faith which is like a toddler lol I fall then get up.. Fall again and get up but eventually I walk even though sometimes I still fall and have to get up again. People have helped me along the way and I believe HE does use and work through people but it has been a kind of learning curve sometimes because you have to discern what to keep and what to throw out.. The same sun can burn and dry up all moisture but can also give power and light and bring growth. We need wisdom and discernment because sometimes peoples message are perfect but sometimes they are not perfect and we aren’t called to follow people but the LORD.. It can be a challenge to see HIS love through people who dismiss me because my imperfections are all they see.
I have learned to live by my Spirit moreso because of everything that has happened to me and how it has happened and also the people around me and when they haven’t been able to help me it really just drove me to find that God was always there.
Joseph Prince goes on to say in this book. “My beloved friend, if you are paralyzed by a heavy sense of condemnation over something in the past, I want you to know beyond any doubt that God is not withholding your breakthrough from you. HE loves you, understands your pain and suffering, and has forgiven you through the cross. He wants you to know that your past does not have to poison your future.”
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9).. That verse was in his book too not far below the above quotes. I remember years ago my niece Kayla giving me something from a bible children’s class with this verse on it. It resonated again with me. Gods word is amazing how it stays inside you and it really is powerful because it speaks to you through the years and on remembering it, when it comes up again you can know incredible fortitude and hope.
I still believe even after a long time that God has great things for me..
I respect people I do. But they are not God and as much as they feel they know my situation sometimes they do not because people look at the outward but God looks at the the heart.
The same people who helped me when I broke down came to visit my parents just recently. Its been weird I tell you. I am not great with people unfortunately. I kind of stick to myself. And I am awkward. But I will try to explain. When I broke down these people came and helped me but a lot of what they were saying I actually didn’t hear it. But I was given some tools at the time to use that did help and I got better.
This most recent visit I was approached but directly and I don’t mean any harm in sharing this. But again I didn’t really hear what was going on if there was any lead up to that and a bible was kind of shoved in front of my face but I know that it wasn’t done to be unkind.. I just didn’t hear anything that was said before the bible was shown to me so it seemed rather in my face abrupt.
I did see the verses mentioned.. I did say you know I am not hearing well maybe text or email me what you want to say… But I don’t think that made any difference at all and I have not had any communication I could understand since. But as it often happens that way to me, what I say or feel gets overlooked.
I did get the feeling that I was supposed to take the bible away somewhere and meditate on the scriptures shown to me or something? But I didn’t feel comfortable doing that and I really do need things explained a bit more so I can understand.. Some kind of caring connection that connects me to you so even making eye contact helps.. waving hello or writing things down or even making me repeat what you said.. that way you know I got it or not..
I just said no no its ok I have a bible thanks and my hands went up further emphasizing my point.. That was the end of that.
I did try later explaining to my mother my concerns but she just said. “Oh they are just direct in what they say?”
It makes me think of the tv show Australian idol or American idol. The contestant sometimes closes their eyes and sings their song and the judges say that they need to connect with the audience so that their message and emotion touches and reaches through the music and performance. As a deaf person I need that too.. I really need that perhaps more then hearing people do. God helps me in my deafness even though I do not audibly hear him or even see him because I worship Him in spirit but I am unfortunately not able to connect like that with people…. It is a faith thing. Spirit thing with God but people may not get me at all via my soul/spirit realm which is probably the reason why I stay more to myself and they stay away from me too. I truly believe he loves me even imperfect as I am.. Deaf me. Emotional me. Introverted me.
People uggh that is another story altogether. I feel distant to so many beautiful people.. So that lovely warmth people take for granted and which probably endears people to each other.. It so often alludes me and that is HEART BREAKING for me and it makes the void between me and the world so much colder. I cry my heart out many times because I don’t have that and I long for it. That what is inside me I just cannot connect with you the way I wish it could be.. If anything shuts me down it is this.
When I do not hear or feel or connect.. Whoosh straight over my head like so many conversations for a deaf person. I just have learned to miss out on a whole lot of stuff.. The verses shown to me were about forgiveness too lol. But I sense maybe these people wanted me to forgive someone or something or even forgive God?.. I did understand that maybe I could be healed of deafness too in all this forgiveness stuff … I don’t actually feel led to ask God for healing of it. I guess that sounds weird. But I just accept it and move on.. I have heard that Nick Vujicic is the same. He is a well known Christian inspirational speaker. No arms, no legs, no worries kind of man. I have peace being me too. It’s not that I don’t miss music or hearing my loved ones voices. I do.. But you learn to live a different way.
So I am sorry no offense.. I did go and read the scriptures. I prayed over it. I even wrote to someone who it is possible I still needed to forgive or needed to hear it.. but I do not sense even now that this type of forgiveness is what I need or they needed from me.
I think I need just like the paralyzed man to know inside me I am not condemned by God and perhaps I need to hear that from my family in God. One thing I have learnt or felt from the family of God is if you don’t do things a certain way you can be classed as in or out. I have definitely felt out.. Where is the compassion?
But that is not what God says. It is belief in what Jesus did for the world that counts as salvation and we are said to be now in Him such as a branch is connected into a vine. But to be not considered ‘in’.. or treated like you belong or you are loved for you.. Condemnation really does paralyze you and make you feel so very unloved and alone. I think had I received love when I had been struggling I would be a very different person today. The whole world would. We absolutely need the good news that we are utterly forgiven and loved by God..
Deafness is not really a disability as such as just finding a way to communicate with the world. I mean here I am writing about what I care about.. It is how I share what I feel.. but as I have done many times in the past I wrote my heart out like it felt I was literally bleeding into every word and I have shared over and over and over my heart and many times nobody much came to read.. Sometimes no one at all. Not family.. Sometimes friends and strangers. As I said I have had to learn to miss out on a whole lot of stuff.. And there is peace inside me when I say that.. No anger. I don’t fight it. I would rather keep my peace and cry to God about the hard impossible stuff then go to people. Perhaps I have not been clear enough in what I am saying? I hope in this writing even after all this time my heart is seen.
I take the little morsels of understanding I get from here and there and I cherish the ones that communicate with me.. take it into my heart and I can be happy with so little. I think I was created with a lay back nature just for this reason. So that I can be chill where others could not survive it or easily find their peace. But also there is something so strong in me which doesn’t give up because GOD has never given up on me.
There is no fear in God’s love. His perfect love drives out all fears. 1 John 4:18
Knowing and believing just how much God loves me saves me from giving up when it is hard and I feel alone.
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake. Yes even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil. For you are with me. Your rod and staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cups runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23
Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
A couple of nights ago I woke up in the early hours.. awakened by an annoying hot flush 🔥 yes I’m at the age now 😣
I chatted to two of my children.. oldest daughter is an emergency room nurse on night shifts even on days off she’s in that pattern and doesn’t fight it.. my son has that pattern of waking at night atm.. but it was perfect timing for me.. so much love. 🥰 I’m so glad I’m a mother.. so proud of all my family.. our children are my greatest gift.. I was awake a little while.. a good time to pray & feel emotions that come..
Tears fell as they sometimes do.. I’m an emotional soul.. I can use them to pray.. empty my heart of all I feel and pray for people who need it.. they also help me find peace and strength from God..
You see I have felt for a very very long time that the truest essence of who I am and why I was created.. I have not been able to connect as I so hoped and desired with people around me.. So when I start feeling all the feels it helps to channel this into my prayers.. my faith keeps me looking up and I hope my art also shows this..
I prayed a prayer at this time for a friend who truly cares for me whom I believe God sent. I need every day support like all of us do and a friend who shares in a way I can understand. Who I’m safe with and feel heard and where I’m free to also respond back.. Moreso this is so important when I’m an introvert and deaf.
I may never see them face to face and I know we both have our struggles .. but as the tears slid down my face.. the tears that fall for the brokenness in my own life but also for the good.. I am thankful in my heart I know that I’m cared for despite all my failings and my overactive emotional side.
I used those tears for a most heartfelt prayer I prayed for my friend using my mustard seed faith.. asking God that my tears would find their way to the very throne room of heaven and help my friend in the way they need it the most.. 🕊
Maybe it was a deep and private prayer I prayed.. But I think and hope that my honesty might help other people who cry into thier pillows silent tears.. who hurt for unspoken pain.. who also like me can’t reach for the places they wish and dream for.. Or who feel broken and waiting for what they truly desire and it feels like it may never come.. Because faithwise I know what it does to you to not see the results many Christians I know have seen..
Now Faith is an assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.. Hebrews 11:1
But I can promise you that although I feel the depths of darkness at times.. I also feel and experience deep peace and I am given help to trust God for all that hasn’t come to pass.
Many do not get this peace or can go back to solid sleep.. and I know it’s hard when nobody else knows the depths of your pain.. I want you to know God knows.. I encourage you to tell him all that troubles you and find HIS peace for all that breaks your heart & for all the highs and lows of what you feel so that you would also find comfort. That there is a place to find hope and that there does come a knowing in this place that your tears and struggles will count for something even in the darkest night…
I’ve sat on this digital art for days. Probably a week if I am honest.. It is where I am though so it was always going to be posted.. eventually. I really do not see the point in being anything but honest be it simple honest. It is a scene of my daily every day life while walking my dog. Yes in my own neighborhood. I tend to be a person who likes things to remain pretty much the same. I am comforted and find joy in routine even despite being a pretty routine-less person. Walking much the same area every day with moderate changes of route here and there. It is nice though when I walk that same way again and think of this art. It actually thrills me because it makes me feel more a functioning part of my world and I do not always feel I have a place or purpose in this world so that to me is so important to get a sense of belonging. It is pretty rough though this art because with this I am more into creating art that is meaningful to me then into details and trying to improve my art skills. I actually started doing this from memory not reference which I nearly always draw from so that was interesting. But to give my setting more realism I searched for the street view on google maps to make it look at least a little more the right way up . What google map shows of the street was back in time when it was incredibly dry and all the grass was brown.
Comparing the past dry conditions to all the current lushness in our area I really can be thankful for a cooler Spring with plenty of rain to keep it so bright green.
That’s one reason which has kept me from moving forward with this art or sharing it.. that same kind of dryness in my life too where any kind of creative flow is almost non existent. I am not seeing green growth in myself where I am improving or working hard on any art and I am not trying to better my situation. But I think it is important to me that I do push on regardless and I wanted to convey that through this art.. and one way is by focusing on the colors of that day despite what lack of color I might feel currently in my personal life. Despite a lack of energy and creative energy. I am plodding onwards. Our weather has been more gray skies and cool weather then the warming up of weather Spring can bring. But the growth of spring time is still very evident by all the green and it is most everywhere and that is showing the gift of much and many good rainfalls and I do not think you’d find many that would not welcome that.
I hope my art show despite the struggles I am still grateful for my life and this world.
Little dabs of colors are likened to the pockets of daily inspiration I find that keep me going forward.
I couldn’t do without those pockets of joy but yes you have to have eyes that seek it out. Even sometimes if it’s just the bright yellow flowers in the weeds growing along the way where I walk.
I added scripture because I find it easier to seek God through art expression and unlike going to church or doing it like everyone else I can fully experience my faith best when I am free in the expression of it.
Art is my way of sharing my faith and what peace and strength and help God gives me through His presence and what I choose to notice in the world around me.. I acknowledge that He is the one who lifts me up and keeps me from not giving up. It is important to me to always share what guides me through my life. I want to be honest. I want to be real. I do have to push myself to get things done. I do have to push myself to walk daily. I do have to push myself to seek God. But I acknowledge that HE is still central in my life even as I am. And especially as I am. I do not seek perfection but I choose realness because I believe it trumps perfection.
Unafraid to show myself as I am. Persisting through my life as I am. My hope is fully found in God rather then in myself or anyone or in anything else.
The scripture was found in the study of the book ‘The Broken Way’ by Ann Voskamp that I have been very slowly and loosely reading through. I’ve been trying to read more too.. All these things.. Reading.. Art.. Faith.. Exercise they do help me.. Even sharing and writing this helps me.. Sometimes I feel that the things that we persist through.. The fact that they are hard or a struggle to do.. Perhaps are for some greater reason that is why it is important to persist.
This art is honest and anyone could create it.. Makes me feel better because its meaningful to me and yes I have had to push myself to share it as it is.
I know sometimes people will look at an art piece I’ve taken a lot of time with and they say I could never do that. I wish I could do that and you are so blessed to be able to create that. There is an admiration to perfectly or more skilled art that can leave another feeling inadequate or wishing they could do the same. I felt the very same way as I was contemplating this art because someone else I know posted something really good art wise around the time I finished it and it made me look at this and suddenly it seemed so very imperfect and rough looking and so very underwhelming. That is exactly why I have struggled to share it and instead been procrastinating sigh.. Because it isn’t great art. It isn’t skilled art and it really may not even show well what I am feeling.. It’s just simple art. But that is how I have humanly felt so it is time to move on-wards and stop stalling.
When I first started sharing my art on-line not many noticed it at all and I was trying lol but then as I improved more took notice because I was improving but you know it was never about that for me I just enjoy the sharing and getting feedback is always nice especially if someone says that resonates with me.. It makes you feel not so alone.
And you know looking back I might even think why on earth did I even post some of that arghh lol?!?! But here it is today on this day being just simple ordinary persistence. This is going out into the world as it is. And maybe just maybe it encourages someone else to have a go at sharing things right where they are at. How they are feeling and for them too like me.. it is honest and imperfect .. Because it is brave when there isn’t much that results from showing up but it takes all our time and strength to do so..
It does mean we DID NOT GIVE UP and that my friends.. is something!!!
And if showing up does help even one person. Then I could not ask for anymore then that..
Indeed. I am incredibly lazy right now. Like I could curl up and sleep the day away. I don’t know if it is depression or what. But I feel tired and blah and I am wearing a groove in my bed where I sit most of the day. I cannot walk my dog tonight as I like to do. Its been overcast most of the day probably all of the day but raining and wet this evening. Daylight savings does throw me for a bit. Its after 7pm and I haven’t eaten yet. I am eating later these evenings. I do get lonely sometimes and I just don’t feel the same joy about things some days.
I finished another digital drawing so I am making myself write about it. I do normally like writing and oh well if this writing is just for me it is just for me. I have to get over that now or I would never write again.
I drew a Velveteen Rabbit it is kind of how I am feeling but it makes me smile that it is a character from a beloved story and one that inspires people.. I think it shows something about what is helping me get through the every day and where my heart finds comfort. The Velveteen Rabbit is mentioned in the book I am currently reading.. The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp.. Which I found for 2 dollars in an op shop and I am rather proud I am reading it. I have a bad habit of buying many books and not reading them. This one according to Goodreads (an ap on my phone) 51% of the way through.. Something about logging in and updating how many pages I have read really inspires me. To update my progress this way probably helps me to keep reading too. I did say I would share some of it here on my blog and I am glad I am still doing that. Maybe I will share the link on my face book too because there are people there who do say they like my art and that makes me feel good and it helps me keep up my art.. I feel sharing is good for me because it keeps me flowing and social. I am not giving up when I share. I have never gotten to the place where an art piece is expression enough for me I like expressing how I feel in writing too.
Quotes from the book..
It’s a needed thing, to be brave. But maybe there’s a broken way of being safe enough to be real and un-okay. Maybe the bravest thing is to be real enough to say we’re broken and unbrave — and trust we’re still loved in our broken and unbrave”.
“What is REAL?” asked the Rabbit one day… “Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you..” “Does it hurt?” asked the Rabbit. “Sometimes,” said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. “When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.”
What could happen if we weren’t afraid of passion… of suffering..
Maybe wholeness is not reaching for perfection in your life maybe wholeness is embracing brokenness as part of your life.
Trust Him in all this brokenness.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more then conquerors through him who loved us.. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.. Romans 8:35, 37-39
I am not trying to perfect my art or creating it to sell.. I am just glad I am doing it at all. And I am glad I am being transparent here it is a healing balm to my soul to express how I feel. I am being real about my every day life and it is freeing to me. I think that is what shuts me down that I have not felt free to be real and so I just kind of stop altogether with everything. But I do not want to be anything but real and maybe that has been the problem all along that I felt I couldn’t and so I didn’t. So I think maybe just starting to be real here may be the best way for now to start getting used to it again and hopefully keep it going and going and going. 🙂
I am blogging on a book I am currently reading ‘The Broken Way’ by Ann Voskamp. My way to work through it is posting my thoughts on it here. I need to get things out of myself and when there is few outlets my blog is perfect for doing such. Writing and sharing helps me in my every day life I don’t think I could exist keeping things to myself. I am not doing the whole book like every question here but whatever I feel I want to share and reflect on as I read through it.
This was started a few days ago because even though I love writing and sharing I do struggle with the loneliness of it. Everyone feels things and people who can communicate easily take it for granted you can discuss sport, weather, your favorite band… etc.. The every day things people talk about. I cannot easily do that. Deafness and being an introvert mean its more a struggle to talk about anything at all..
But I am struggling lately to be motivated to write and today with tougher lock downs due to covid the extra struggles seem to release something in me. When I shared personally yesterday on my face book a few others did too and the moment they do that I get caught in that flow of emotion. It strangely helps me. This is going to seem weird but normally I don’t feel my writing and art is for a greater reason. Sitting at home doing this feels more like a hobby or favorite past time. Now that I am expected to stay home and find creative outlets its almost like the universe saying.. Yes Sharon go for it. The time is right and perfect for it now. It is almost like a big thumbs up to doing what I love to do.
Our state is the worst in Australia right now so I can see this is precisely the best time to sit and let it out. I am adapting my writing and thoughts to the day because I started this days ago and I’m not feeling quite the same as I was a few days ago.
This is the passage I am up too in my book and want to marinate my thoughts in this writing.. It is faith inspired so I understand if that is not your thing.
For I am poor and needy, And my heart is wounded within me. I fade away like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust. Psalm 109:22-23
This also is a quote from the book..
‘This passage is from a type of psalm called a lament. Many of the psalms are laments because the ancient Hebrews thought it was very important to go to God honestly with their brokenness and allow themselves to feel their sadness.’
The author said this passage is intended to bring your brokenness to the surface. Asks that we sit with this passage and see where it takes us. Giving the reader different ideas how to contemplate this passage in view of the study material as well.
I am not feeling like I need to dwell on my past or present brokenness.. I have been feeling generally peaceful though I have felt some anxiety with adapting to wearing a mask which at this current time is compulsory if we leave the house. Being deaf means I cannot at all understand other people around me in public because I do rely on lip reading and you cannot do that with a masks covering everyones faces. Even with masks on and after I tell people I am deaf you can see they are still speaking to me or trying too? It makes me anxious to work out how to communicate even moreso then normal.
I love that there is not just one way to feel about things. There are many ways and although even studying a Christian book as I have studied and reflected on many in the past. I have progressed beyond the one way only answers I might once have given. Even if the author might be writing from a certain point of view and seeking to teach and express a certain point of view. I love that I am freer these days then I once was. I can value another’s point of view may be different to how I see it and that is ok and I can take from it in part or in whole or just leave it altogether. Always respecting others have the right to see and view things differently.
I personally prefer to be more upbeat and positive. Although I do very much value honesty and find it challenging to get hard-line honest as much as I used too. I maybe wired as an emotional person but I have just shared personally over and over for a long period of time much more then others but I have felt mostly alone with it. Even if I really want too share or feel all the feelings i just feel so tired to keep standing up feeling like I am talking to myself.
But what is too much and if the bible has lamenting and rather a lot of it.. isn’t that kind of a sign that if God is ok with it shouldn’t we be too? Many cultures have customs of intense deep grieving, intense rituals for moments of change and meaningful ceremonies that embody what a collected group of people feel and or wish to express together.
Grief shared I really do feel is grief halved. Emotions are better shared its why we share stories, jokes and good news!!
Reading these particular scriptures and knowing there are many similar scriptures of lament shared with us is actually incredibly comforting and I think I would even go so far to say it goes against the flow of current religious views to say such things. I mean its rare these days well at least on social media for people to pour out their struggles and deep feelings… Most people grieve or feel the deep struggles privately and I think in our society even grief or public grief has a certain time limit. And I am going to be really honest here.
I follow a lady who lost her husband. They have a big family left behind she is a single mother with many children to raise and feed alone. Very hard and tragic loss. She has been constantly churning out photos of her husband and their times together over the last year. I think the first anniversary just passed.. I follow her Instagram account. I am all for sharing and have many times about my own grief and feelings etc.. But over this ladies daily content I have had to go to God and say sorry. Because I sometimes feel why is she still talking about it. Yes.. Sigh.. I cannot even believe I’ve felt that. What does it matter to me or anyone else if she is still speaking about it. It’s none of my business? I know letting go has helped me move on but who is to say that should happen or if it does when.. It is not my concern how long the process takes or if people do it at all.. I hate saying this but I too look at people and how they process grief and loss and their circumstances and we all do if we are honest.. I do judge at times and its so wrong because I do not know her heart or anyone else’s heart.. 😦
I want to share a story here of my Grandma. She lost her husband I think when my dad was about 11.. She never remarried. I said to Grandma Jones why didn’t you ever remarry? You raised your two boys as a single mother. You lived alone so very long you could have remarried again why didn’t you? She said because I loved him and I didn’t want to marry anyone else after Harry passed away. Till her death my Grandma kept wearing her wedding ring. Wow.. To me that is so romantic and the love she felt so deep and strong she never needed anyone else to love her romantically and she didn’t let that reminder of her husband and marriage go she wore it every day as a sign of her undying love. That was always her choice and she was happy with it.
Instead of speaking honestly and as long as we need about how we are feeling. We are told to speak only in faith. Trust God alone.. Don’t air it out publicly. Keep it for the closed sessions with your therapist or spiritual counselor or pastor.
I would think in days like right now.. With Lock downs. Staying at home. In times of fear of catching a deadly disease how many of us would absolutely be feeling so much grief for the freedoms we have lost, the wearing of masks and social distancing and not to mention the many who have been sick and the well documented deaths around the world. We all have lost valuable outlets to deal with it. The not being able to do the things we used to do. Churches shut down.. Sport clubs closed.. We are restricted from touching people and have to distance from each other. Everything is topsy turvy and you question and you wonder and stay awake at night because your mind won’t shut down. You worry and think what the future might be. So many things swirl in your mind and you can be led down very slippery type paths in your thinking and I cannot imagine how lonely it must be for some who are not able to be with loved ones or attend funerals or weddings or family things and that’s if they have close family.. And especially people whose mental health is fragile. People have lost jobs and businesses have closed and the uncertainty of the future threatens our daily lives and what we hold dear.
How do we cope in a safe way? How do we air our frustrations? Give ourselves and those around us full freedom to express it while staying safe and not judging?
How many of us can honestly open up about how crappy things are or how low in spirits we might be feeling or about issues that may not be talked about without getting deleted, rejected, shot down or invite more drama or harsh judgment? I know on social media most of what I read is either political, medical stats, discussions and quite heated ones too.. But also there are you know people’s accomplishments during this time, how they have overcome the challenges, prayer needs or inspirational stories.. Not much true lament out there not that I am seeing. Maybe only the poets and artists and those brave enough to let it show.
Surely there are worse off people then us we may feel and its not right to air our woes .. We might be tired, scared, angry or depressed but isn’t everyone?
But yet in the bible many similar and deep laments were freely able to be expressed and they have carried on through the years to us now and that is no small sorrow to be read and reread throughout the ages.
Ok not 2020 type things but heavy and frustrating things never the less and they did not have the freedoms we have these days or the medical help or the government systems in place or welfare or the technology to share it instantly all over the world. Yet I think how much MORE in these days people world over could lament the trials and tribulations that are going on because even though so much has evolved people still feel and hurt and worry and we have abandoned so much the support systems our ancestors relied on where families stuck together and even bled and died for each other. And if we truly believe in God and read the bible how can we not see that lamenting is all the way through it… That it is ok to question and cry out at hardship, injustice and not just while praying.. That honest to God grieving is so necessary because life is hard and long and can get very dark and at times like this doesn’t make sense and that is what Gods own people did all through the ages. It really is ok to do this and to feel it all deeply.. And even if many cannot do it themselves then please give us who do room to do so or take up some words of others through a song or poem or the scriptures themselves. Let the words and emotions be yours too. To let those feelings not strangle you but instead fly free. My prayers have been tears when I couldn’t find the words.
How it might unite our minds and hearts if we can only let it flow and we might not feel so alone and maybe the collective feeling of each others pain all over the world would mean empathy for each other and we could all get to the other side much faster.
And the earth would weep together as one for all the pain, hurt and dysfunction and maybe together feeling all that we feel without fear it will bring greater wisdom and wider reaching understanding to our whole planet and we might all share and experience peace. God is peace and there is a unity in HIM that all people can resonate with yet still be uniquely themselves and we all can rise up stronger for it… For in the streets of heaven there is a tree of life with leaves for healing.. God did not say healing for only one type of person but that the leaves of the trees were for medicine to heal the nations..
And yes those words in that Psalm above could be my words if I wrote an honest story of my life. They could be made to fit.
Why are you so cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, who is the help of my (sad) countenance and my God Psalm 43:5 (amp)
If I was to ask these same questions of my soul, what might the answers be?
I don’t like to think on whereabouts I am in life because I really do start to sink and very fast. I do not stay in that place very long I cannot. I escape the downcast valleys because I cannot remain and stay in peace there. I am not writing for anyone else at this point because I am discouraged about my last post. I shared my writing and art on face book well it was a link to it.. You cannot see a big size pic of my art on face book without coming to my blog which is what I wish people would do. It just feels more then just hitting like. To visit my blog means you care to know more. You cannot see the details of my art or the best appearance of it nor read the words I have typed if you just look at the link and hit like.
It feels defeating when only 2 people care to look at Soul splashes (name of my blog). One wasn’t even from face book. I did share my art on instagram also so people can see it there who are already there and one of my cousins said something nice which was kind hearted. These things mean something to me. I share because I am often alone with what I feel and to share my heart online it is my way to be in the world. It is the way I express my soul and spirit, my faith and who I am. I use my art and writing to connect and where there is no one seeking me out when I put my heart out into the world there is simply NO connection at least for deep things that matter.
The reason I add this here is I do not have a close person to me to tell nor could easily speak this to someone or even in a group to get some support because of deafness and difficulty to have deep and meaningful conversations with anyone. I do have a very close friend online but I could never chat and say stuff like this.. Our chats are from different sides of the world and its even different days and different seasons.. Often out chats are spasmodic and we come and go.. rarely staying for a long length of time to open up. It is just far easier to write it but again the deeper issues I cannot stay around and feel heard most times nor enjoy conversing back and forth with someone else so I fear the rare times I am in a place to share more deeply I clam up.. the irony of it. I write these things hit finish or hit post and then that’s it and its what I have gotten used too. I have to move on.. You sink or swim.
I do love the great heart within myself. I have a strong heart. To endure my life. I mean I love to share. I still share even when only two people read it and even when those two people do not give any comment and it is rare to get a personal comment on the deeper sharing.. If comments were food to my soul in order to survive I would die quickly. I think anyone in this world who struggled to communicate, was an emotional soul and who didn’t get any feedback would go crazy. Yet I keep putting my heart out there and it is a miracle that I have not given up which is a testimony to Gods strength in my spirit and help in my struggles. Most often I share about my faith in God too which as believers we are told is the good news. I do it honestly and vulnerably which we are told best shows Gods power in our weakness. Yet even still the majority of believers in God who would see it publicly do not notice in fact I think I would be seen as an outcast rather then a seeker of spirit and truth simply because I do it differently. And they know I am deaf, have gone through life traumas and struggle to communicate because I keep putting it out there. If only they could see that a little support might help me shine my light even more. I have never wanted to beg.
My answers to this question re the scripture above are that I find it hard to wait expectantly anymore. I started praying certain prayers decades ago. And things got worse over time not better and to be honest I am still waiting or be it trusting God for certain things. I know I know I cannot even really talk about such matters with many. Everyone has an opinion well believers in God do.. And they are just about as difficult to deal with as the journey. I might agree with them that my faith is small and there are different things I could do but I have to live my life not them and they certainly are not there for me to lean on like God is. But the length of time things have played out mean that not many can understand, they just see me as aloof without wondering why and most that have an opinion they have not gone through the same and when people try to help they never stop to ask me what actually will help. Many times it doesn’t help and when I try to be honest even gently I am seen as ungrateful. Sigh I cannot win. I do not know why people suppose they can know what will help without stopping to find out.
I cannot just keep expecting things over a long long length of time it is easier to feel the feelings, let them go and be honest and at the end of every day leave my hearts desire with God. That’s not to say He will not do what He has said but its letting it rest until He does whatever He is going to do. I trust God with my life. I absolutely do and the outcome of all of it is always in His hands and I have not lost my faith despite my struggles.. it is just my faith is not like anyone else’s. I just have felt so alone with my end of it and if you were to put a truth spotlight on me and I was unafraid I will say that I have felt in a majority of my latter life anyway… unsupported. Loved by God yes. Misunderstood by most everyone yes. Stubborn in my faith yes. Forgetting all other things but looking unto Him yes in a lot of circumstances this is truth.
I suppose you could say I just do not have it in me to talk about or even think about it. So this is my answer. I just had to sort of throw off anything that depressed me and look intently at God in the way that works for me to outlast the path I walk. I praise Him for Him alone and not just for answers I have experienced and that doesn’t mean I have not seen answers. I acknowledge Him because I have survived this journey and for the peace He gives me and I praise Him for answers to others prayers. I also see things and notice things around me that are signs to me that make me praise Him too.. Things that are maybe only meaningful to myself but they encourage me to keep going forward. All along the way I have pretty well shared everything because that is who I am. But it has got harder to not clam up altogether because I am human and because it gets disheartening.. The sharing would open my life so much more if only I wasn’t so alone with it. I have tried the sit in the building with people. I feel even more alone because I cannot connect there. People’s backs to me. I cannot hear and I get distracted. I don’t feel the love there or feel a part of it. Worshiping in spirit and truth I am a part of it wherever I am and there is peace and no distractions.
My entire walk with God has been one of faith more then seeing and receiving personally and I have had to lean on Him more because of it. He has never abandoned me like people have.
Tests in my life have been when it appears many others receive answers way before I see them and also difficult relationships that I have endured and I have not had the support to overcome them so it makes it harder and I can only retreat.. Also long standing prayers of the heart. Having to endure things feeling physically alone and for a long time while still trusting. Not understanding the journey or why things happen the way they do. It is hard to want things and do without for a long time and live alongside or witness others enjoying the things you are so desperately desiring and they seem oblivious to your suffering and it makes me want to stay away from them. It does honestly test you. You have to cry to God. Try not to lose heart. Try not to see the whole world as unkind and your enemies.. Cry some more. Develop a back bone for long suffering. Be happy for others and take your struggles to God. You try all sorts of things.. All sorts of prayers.. But I just found nothing worked like seeking Him no matter what. My stubbornness works well here. I found people fail and some things I just cannot seem to overcome yet anyway. I just cannot seem to find a way through it and that makes you feel a failure especially if you do not have support humanly for it.. It does make me look up though.
My greatest reassurance and greatest help I have found is His sweet peace and that is where I rest majority of the time and this peace has been unearthly so that I cannot give up. Experiencing His peace I am filled with strength that is not my own and it is as if you are held safe and though the storm rages all around you it doesn’t touch you.. Because although I wish things were different I can endure most anything when I am comforted, held and filled with His peace it really is miraculous and it is unexplainable. And it doesn’t depend on my being perfect or like everyone else or even accepted by anyone else and I do not even understand why things do not change or even some of the things I do. It is like being a salmon that swims with strong desire against the current back up the river anti every other fish that is what peace of God does. You are taken through things very very differently and you just know that God is in the midst of you so no matter how crazy it gets that peace will see you through. Praise God for that.
My hope is in God but not for certain things rather its for overall. I just cannot pinpoint my faith anymore or prayers for myself anyway. I just know you cannot make a person love you. Babies can die. You can stand alone with Gods help even when Gods own people turn away from you and forsake you.. You can live alone with Gods help even when you feel He is the only one sometimes that gets you because perfect love drives out all fear.
My newest art which takes hours and I do not do it all in one go but come back and forth with it. This image is inspired by artist Casey Childs – Light and Solitude.
When I saw it I knew I wanted to have a go at trying my best to create similar. It is learning and challenging myself to get it as close to the original using digital. Obviously it will never be the same and I don’t want the same but I want to learn how to create more challenging art pieces. The play on light and dark fascinates me, how using shadows and colors you can make a flat image look dimensional. I don’t have any idea what I am doing lol I just try to create similar and learn as I keep doing more and more art.
I use procreate on my ipad and it is not an ipad pro. Just the regular size and I was so glad when they released it with the ability to use the ipencil. I used procreate oil brushes for this one created by ‘Abbie Nurse Uproot’ you can find her account on Instagram. I might add the link below my writing for anyone interested. I have never painted with real life oil paints so I cannot say I know how they work or flow onto a canvas but I love the look of oil paintings and that someone can replicate it in a digital form..
The dark room, the light bursting in, the solitary girl.. The book she is reading.. The contemplation. All so me and how I face the light no matter what. Faith wise so much this speaks of the light of God displacing the darkness.. Giving light to the face and how the words of God illuminate me and give hope.. I do not want to go too much into it because art is supposed to speak for itself. But I think in these trying times this art piece is incredibly inspiring. It is challenging for me as single woman I would much rather not be alone but this is my life and has been for so long. 11 years since my marriage separated and I have been a single woman.. ohhh.. I think this image reflects my single status quite well. You have to learn to look to other things to fill the void in your life. There is an ache for more but what can you do but create the best life where you are and as you are.
Also with the personal struggles in my life that leave me isolated and in what feels like my own little world. I have turned my focus fully to the source of all light, life, hope, peace etc.. The WORD Himself.. 🕊
I am surprised at what I can create and I really love doing art like this. Thrills me. I can do it all at home. Without all the expensive art supplies and the mess and the space you need to spread out. I want to write also that I couldn’t do my art this way without the support and generosity of my former husband. He helped me buy the ipad and apple pencil. He bought it outright and I paid him off as I could afford it and even before I finished he canceled the rest owing and I am forever grateful.. I being on a disability pension don’t have a lot extra so I may not have had this for a long long time. We have a great relationship despite being divorced. I am so thankful and our kids have lots of family times with both of us without any tension and there is freedom to be ourselves to come together as a family then go our separate ways. I thank God above because it could be so different.
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