This latest piece of artwork is based on something I’ve been pondering on this week. As everybody finds, sometimes life gets so crammed with things and we find ourselves being busy all day every day. I was reminded of Mary and Martha in the bible and felt challenged about whether I’m being a Martha or a Mary? Am I being so busy with the things that I think need to be done or am taking the time to focus on Jesus first? Sometimes I find the ‘to-do’ list gets so long that it begins to control my day and the deadlines that I feel are there dictate what becomes a priority – just like Martha. Really I should be like Mary, putting all those things on the to-do list aside to seek Jesus first. I’m definitely not managing to achieve this all the time, but having this picture in my mind or up on the wall is another prompt to help me along in the right way.
This print is based on a verse that remember learning in Sunday School as a child. It also reminds me of a song we used to sing too and I can’t help but sing the verse now when I read it!
I painted an oak tree for the illustration on this print, because oak trees remind me of great strength. I’m sure we could argue that all trees are strong (once fully grown or established) but to me, an oak tree can withstand far more storms and is maybe the strongest and most resilient. When we are following God’s plan and seeking his will in everything we do and face, no matter what storms come our way, if we keep fixed on Him we will find the strength we need in Him.
‘The Oak Tree’ print was originally painted for my Envelopes of Joy project. Here you can sign up to receive a small A6 size print in the post every month. There are various length bundles available, with a brand new print each month.
Here's something new for Inspired Joy - colouring sheets! I had the idea of colouring sheets squirreled away for another time, but maybe this is a better time! Maybe one day they'll make it into an actually colouring book, but for now they are available to download completely free whilst we're unable to get out. Feel free to send some photos of your completed sheets. I've made a start one one!
This print features one of my most important verses from the bible. It comes with a story to tell, a very personal story, but one that I would now like to share. I’ve been drawing for a long time but until recently I’ve hidden my art away, because to me, each one tells a personal story and I like to hide away and not share what I’m going through. Sometimes it feels like I’m opening up my diary for someone to read and that’s almost how it is with this verse. The picture itself isn’t important, it’s the words that mean so much, so here is the story.
When I was 16 I had a bible that was divided up so that you could read the whole bible in a year I wasn’t doing a particularly good job of reading it – in fact I’d barely read any at all. Now comes the emotional part – when I was 16, my mum died very suddenly. That night as I went to bed I picked up my bible and began to read the chapters for that day. I only got a few verses in…here’s what it said:
2 Corinthians 1 v 3-4:
‘All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He can comfort us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.’
That verse gave me so much comfort. I almost felt like after a strange day of bewilderment at what had just happened, living in a daze, suddenly it made sense. One day I would need to have been through this experience. It didn’t mean the following days, months, years became easy, but I remember feeling a sense of purpose to this sudden extreme change to my life.
So here is a new print. Hopefully you’ll use it remind yourself and others, that we have a God who knows all. He knows the bigger picture. He knows the purpose of why we go through the things that we do. He is the source of our comfort.
