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I have had no formal training in art. I have however, had formal and informal training in Pain, Agony and Despair. I am almost certain in the throws of my pain I have glimpsed hell herself lick her lips in delight at the torment of my soul. Doctors didn't help much either-
It took me literally, twenty years, a huge leap of faith, and a trip across the entire continent of North America to get a proper diagnosis for my pain. And what did the doctors tell me for those intervening twenty years? It was all in my head~
There now, let's all scream together.
Luckily, for me I have a firm backbone of faith and it is with this thought that the above sketch was done- with Job's words in mind - "Though He slay me, yet will I praise Him."
Even though my body had betrayed me, somehow I knew that my God had not.
Oftentimes, as the painting below depicts, I feel naked- exposed, shamed and lost. All the world seems a bleak, fathomless abyss about me. Drawing and painting help me to work through the layers of feelings, to sort through the past pains and the here and now and to give voice to things that are simply just- too deep for words.
I am so thankful for hands that will still work for me to create something meaningful out of so many pain-filled days.
From somewhere over the rainbow,
zoe ashcraft
Zoe
Funny you mention Job. When I'm in pain, despair and feeling desperate for relief. I always grab my bible and re read the book of Job. It's helps me to gain the strength to carry on and suffer on through.
Thank you for sharing your artwork too.
Gentle Hugs
Betty
Zoe,
thank you for sharing your artwork! It's wonderful! I'm so glad that I have found some one who has the same mentality "though He slay me, yet will I serve Him" It is so hard to find young people my age who still love Him. Since I became ill last year I have been telling folks that the Lord is truly good ALL the time. He could take everything away and we still would have more than we deserve. Without Him I would truly be LOST. Thank you. You have been an encouragement to me.
Sending prayers and wishes of good health,
Morgan
Morgan & Zoe,
I was so impressed by this artwork and your comments. I have been in pain for almost 10 years with facial pain. The disease is invisible so people don't realize how much I'm suffering. I have been a Christian for 26 years and when I received my diagnosis I determined right then that I would not blame God. Whether I live or Die, abase or abound, suffer or live a simple painless life, I will yet praise HIM !! My sufferiing is yet for a moment in the light of eternity. I will have victory either in this life or the next over the pain but I will have victory in LIFE !! Do I suffer, YES. Will I let it get the best of me... on most days, NO. On the days when I can't function I meditate on His Word which gives me Life and the ability to go on. I've asked for God to relieve me of this suffering but it remains. Who am I to ask why but only to reflect His character no matter what I face ! I look for every opportunity to give Christ glory and help others who are suffering in every situation. Sometimes I'm not that good at it and other times I let God work through my suffering to affect others for good. That is all we can do. That is what Christ called us to do in the great commission.
Thank you for sharing your gift. I'd love to have a print if you are selling them. ...
Blessings,
Amy
You are so welcome! I'm glad to hear that I could be a blessing to you.
In reguard to my poem, You may print off a copy. This poem was just my feelings that particular day. The Lord gave me words to say. It's His poem.
It is really hard to live for Him in this world. When I feel sorry for me, I think of where I 've been and where He brought me from. How I find Him giving the strength to overcome. I woud not want to turn my back on Jesus when He died to free us. I meditate on the struggles that He went through during His time here on earth. The beatings and sufferings and the mocking and His crucifiction that was needed for you and I to live with Him eternally. He has just simply brought me through way too much for me to ever doubt Him. He is good ALL the time. He could take it all away and He would still be a loving, kind God. I may never get relief in my lifetime, but whne I get to heaven I will be able to run and jump and bow down to Him. "Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord" I may pray and pray and ask Him to take it all away, but it will happen on His timming.
A few weeks ago I met a lady who knew that I have been struggling with my health for over a year. She asked me why I was not mad at God. I told her, who am I to tell God that He is unfair. Who an I to say that I deserve better? Then I simply walked away. I want to be like Job. All was taken from him; family, frineds, his livestock,etc. He wife tried to persuade him to "curse God and die" , but Job had greater faith in God. He trusted the Lord to carry him through and as always, He did.
I don't know if you know this song or not but it is one of my favorites:
Chorus:
Walk on,
Walk on for Jesus,
Walk on in His name,
Lifting high His blood stained banner,
Walk on, in His name.
Verse 1.
Walk on thriugh the shadows,
Were doubt and fears may arise,
Circumstances,
Seem to tell you,
That there's
No reason to try
Chorus
Verse 2.
Walk on,
Through the valley,
Where doubt and fear will arise,
He'll crown your faith with victory
With Him
We will abide
Chorus
It's a beautiful song. I hope that you have a good week. I hope to talk
to you soon. Feel free to write me anytime.
Sending prayers and wishes of good health,
Morgan
Hi Amy,
It sounds that you, like myself, have been dealing with these things for a long time
It iS good to find others likeminded. I would be happy to sell you a copy of any of my artwork. You can write me at <prismed2001@yahoo.com> and tell me which one, what size you're interested in. My husband can make gicle'e of them since he's a photographer.
love to you all,
Hey! there no signature!
ah, just as well, that was this can be a Ps. to everyone who's commented.
I thank each of you for sharing your heart and your faith. The struggle to overcome the difficult with good, the heartwrenching with that which is eternal- our praise- is one that we should encourage eachother in!!!
Therefore I pray each of you be graced with a bounty of the Holy Spirit over you today, that your praises might be even as that cup overflowing, the very river of life-
bubbling up, spilling over, blessing the Father and causing others around you to look up! to the giver of all good gifts- for despite any and all infirmities- his gifts and blessings fall like raindrops on our heads.... raindrops that keep fallin' on our heads' ....
Hallelujah.
Thank you each for your very kind comments, I hope we can share more together in the future~
From somewhere over the rainbow,
zoe
www.CarePages.com
(prismed)