Daisies for Mama...

This watercolor and ink drawing was created for my friend's mother. She suffered some pretty significant medical issues over the past two months that required extended hospitalization. My friend truly thought her mother was soon to be lost. I painted daisies, Mama's favorite flowers. There are 4 to represent Mama, her 2 daughters, and her son.

Thanks to the many prayers sent up on her behalf, the amazing medical capabilities of our doctors today, and strong determination, her mother has recovered. I painted this to be displayed in her room at the rehabilitation center where she was going for her aftercare, but it is now displayed at home instead, where she is doing great! A miracle indeed... 

Joyful Eyes...

I drew this portrait for a friend after she posted about the loss of her "Poppa".  As I read his obituary, I was struck by the kindness in his expression and the joyful sparkle in his eyes.  He looked like a truly and genuinely happy person, and I felt compelled to draw him immediately.

I was happy to see her and give her a hug, despite coronoavirus quarantine in full swing. Sometimes you just need to hold on to someone for a minute.  I didn't stay long, but I could see the portrait brought some fond memories to the surface.

On the way home, I received this lovely photo of the portrait in its new home.

I feel so blessed myself to be able to have blessed Poppa's family with this small gift and that it brings them comfort and joy. 

Thank you, Father, for giving me the gift of being able to draw and for showing me how to use that gift to bring joy to others in Your name.  Amen... 

Free Indeed...

This image was inspired by a man I was acquainted with recently. After knowing him a week or two, he told me his testimony of how he came to Christ.  He told me he was once an alcoholic, and he showed me a photograph of him at his worst; severely overweight, red faced from the alcohol and out of control blood pressure.

The story ended in celebration, however, as he was receiving his 2 year sobriety medallion today.

I felt compelled to draw this prayer of praise and thanksgiving on his behalf.

He is now free indeed!

Only minutes after his testimony, another man gave me a similar testimony, and just 4 days later, a third gentleman today told me he was celebrating 1 year sober this weekend!

The artwork is pencil, ink, with black shimmery gel roller pen on the chain and silver gel roller pen for the beams of light coming from the cross. 

Thank you, Father, for putting these people before me and allowing me to be on their path and touch their lives on their walk closer to you.  Let my light guide them closer to you, as you reach out your loving hand to take them into your arms and walk beside them.

You change us from the inside out and mold us into your image. 

Please continue to change all of us in wonderfully powerful ways.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Loss...

This is Matt.  He was just 17 when he was recently killed in a senseless act of violence by two boys years younger than he was. His life was cut needlessly short, and my heart breaks for his family. They made an incredibly selfless and immeasurably generous gift of his organs.  Matt will live on in others and be remembered always.

I drew this as a remembrance in his honor and sent it to his family. It took me some time to finish it because he born within weeks of my oldest daughter. It hit me hard to imagine how quickly our children can be taken from us. I drew it through tears and so many prayers of comfort for Matt, his mother, his sister, and the rest of his family, his friends, and his community who were stunned by this tragedy.

Father, I pray that you hold Matt and his family in your arms.  Comfort them in their time of sorrow. Allow them to see that they gifts they made of his earthly body will have a ripple effect resulting in stories of love and gratitude throughout his community. Use this tragic event as only you can to create something beautiful... In Jesus' name... Amen.