Comfort for God's People...

I completed this pencil piece tonight.  It's larger than my usual 8.5" x 11" sketchbook page at 11"x14". 

I wish that there was a happy prayer associated with this drawing, but that is not the case.  My heart is heavy today as I learned that a colleague and mentor of mine lost her adult daughter unexpectedly last night.

As a parent myself, I cannot fathom the loss of one of my children.  I can only imagine the level of heartache she is feeling, and I wanted to draw an expression of comfort for her to show my support for her family at this most difficult time.

Isaiah 40 spoke to me and I was inspired by verse 11 specifically.  In my bible app the NIV version chapter is labelled as Comfort for God's People.  

 'He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. '

Isaiah 40:11

I understand that "gifts" are not a tradition for the mourning, but it is my prayer to the Lord that His word and this drawing of the verse bring her, her remaining daughter, her husband, and all who knew this beautiful young woman, a sense of peace and comfort in their time of sorrow. The photo has been framed and will be forwarded to the family with a card expressing my condolences and the significance of the drawing and the verse.

Dear Lord, I come to you tonight to ask you to gently carry the mother who has lost her precious daughter.  Lift her up and carry her close to you, as you carry the little lamb in your bosom.  Embrace her with your love and allow her to feel your presence with her so that she may be comforted with the knowledge that you are not only with her, but you are with her daughter and caring for her, as well, as she walks by your side. The faith is strong in their family.  I pray that their faith is strengthened during this season of sadness.  I pray specifically, Lord, that this drawing you allowed me to create reminds the family to lean into you for support in their time of need.  In Jesus' name... Amen.

Side note: this will be a significant step outside of my "comfort zone".  In an earlier post, I mentioned that I am feeling compelled to remove some of the anonymity of this blog and my drawings.  The anonymity gives me a sense of safety, a sense that people close to me won't judge me for my beliefs, or try to attack me because of them.  This will be the first drawing that anyone outside of a very select few in my "real" life have seen.  (Perhaps only 5 Christian friends have seen these drawings in person. My parents and siblings have seen a few, but not all.)

To step out in public faith - in front of my coworkers and a respected mentor at my place of employment - will be a real demonstration of my willingness to be more public with my faith, to share the Good News, and to minister the Word to others around me as I study the bible more and more deeply each day.