Faith through the Flood

In obedience the boat was built,

while others were living sinfully with no guilt.

My Father showed me how to construct our new home

that would soon float on ocean's great foam.

The flood came as the home sat on dry land

the water coming closer we were now on the shore's sand.

Our foundation moved to a fluid new song

none of us knowing the chorus so long.

Here we were for what seemed forever

swaying side to side in this wet weather.

When will it end?

A dove I will send.

To see if there is any land poking through this endless wave.

Bird just returns to it's only place to rest.

This floating home it favors best.

Till he comes back to me with a limb of a tree,

I know we must float faithfully.

I want to see some sign of this season's end,

to know another perch for this dove I send.

Where is the light in this boat we reside,

Where is God's face, must the sun hide?

Is there beauty below that will be revealed in HIs time?

Is there a mountain of mass to where we can climb?

Lord show us the Earth solid and dry

my tears turned to happiness, with passion I'll cry.

Ill rub the dirt on my face

when I'm done with this race.

Lord in Your time I know,

for I trust there is beauty below.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:11

 

 

 

Finished my rainy flood day picture. It was nice to have the day off and get some free creative energy out. Houston has been underwater for the last 2 says. Flash floods have closed down schools, brought water into homes, shut down roads, businesses and even lead to 5 or more deaths.
We have been blessed as a family to have not had our home hurt by the floods. But we are a rare case. This picture is from being stuck at home for 2 days from work and school. It is partly inspired by the storm itself but other things as well..

 This was inspired by pastor Frankie's sermons (of Spirit Filled Celebration Church of the Woodlands's Ark Series) , a necklace an anonymous friend gave me 2 years ago, new blessings & the flood today. It's about Gods promises to us, His time vs. ours, being patient when we feel like we are drowning, trusting that He has something below the surface of the water waiting & renewal. The verse it is based on is Ecclesiastes 3:11.



Never Thirst Again

The Painting

 

The drawing

 

So, how did this painting come about? Hmmmm. Well, first of all I love succulents. Not only are they beautifully unique, they are also easy to take care of.

I have been "thirsty" to draw more succulents in a way of their nature representing faith. Since God gave me the gift of creativity, He often gives me images to draw and draws out of me a reason to connect it to Him. This is my way of personal worship, to Create for my Creator. So, I had the image and idea, but I wondered why He wanted me to create this image... so, I researched.

On Wikipedia I read this...

"The habitats of these water preserving plants are often in areas with high temperatures and low rainfall. Succulents have the ability to thrive on limited water sources, such as mist and dew, which makes them equipped to survive in an ecosystem which contains scarce water sources."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succulent_plant

 

So... I started thinking..... connecting the spiritual and creative dots.

 

Succulents are able to withstand harsh heat and little water each day. They can survive in the desert where they are constantly getting beat down by the sun and then the cold nights. They adapt to where they are.

They take what little water they get in life and hold it inside to get them through dry times. Thirsty people are drawn to them knowing they hold treasure inside.

Faith is like this.

Jesus told the Woman at the well that He had "living water" that He could give her.

She did not understand what he meant because she was thinking in the "physical".

It is a water that our physical bodies do not understand.

It is a spiritual water that keeps our hearts content to hold onto our Faith when there are other things in life tempt us, wear us down or make us doubt... when we are living in a spiritual drought.

 

Years ago I knew about the "living water" growing up in church and with a very Spiritual mother, but my worldly mind couldn't wrap around the spiritual concept.

Not until I came a wife, mother and adult could I really come to a point where I was "thirsty" for that 'Living water" and curious to go to the "well".

My "well" was a spiritual retreat called Kairos in Dallas, Texas.

This is where my real spiritual walk began to go deep.

God spoke to me! I know some may think I am crazy, but it's true.

His words He spoke to me on that spirit filled day I have help in my

skin like a succulent holds water. If that is the ONLY "living Water" I get for the rest of my life here on earth, it is enough for the harshest desert. I knew that day that His love was real.

I fell madly deeply in love with Christ when His love for me was revealed.

My heart was sealed!

Read about my Kairos experience here...

http://thelostsocklife.blogspot.com/2013/03/supertab-autobiographical-comic-of-my.html

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As an artist, I love the beauty of a succulent plant. I really do not have a green thumb, probably because of my ADD and lack of remembering to water plants. I do love green though. I do love plants and feel that without them in a space it is empty. Living without life just doesn't make sense.
I have used succulents in my classroom for the Rodeo Art theme for years because it teaches the kids about contour line and also helps them appreciate the unique visual characteristics of the plant.

My Daughter & student working on her succulent

Daughter and Mother succulents above...

See my students' below here...

1st and 2nd grade cactus
http://tabithaannthelostsock.blogspot.com/2014/09/color-burst-cactus.html

4th and 5th grade cactus
http://tabithaannthelostsock.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/doodle-desert.html

I hope this has inspired you to create for your Creator, draw, paint, read the WOrd, pray or at least think. Please let me know your thoughts. Your words, like His, drive me to create more.

1 Thessalonians 5:11               
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Hebrews 10:23-25               

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

New Memories

Inspired today. Been thinking about dreams lately. I think the hardest thing about being a young widow is reevaluating your dreams. I shared dreams, they died when he left... And crumbles of confusion were left for me alone. What do I still dream for? Since God has blessed with me with new love, along come new dreams. My old memories were once freshly planted and will forever spring up reminding me. But God gives us new seeds, new dreams. Life keeps going, God keeps showing & hope is growing. Don't let disappointment of old dreams keep you from moving on. Use the flowers from yesterday to give you strength along the way.