Video – https://youtu.be/90QNm7VBGsk
Hello friends,
Hello friends,
Welcome to Sunday’s ART of Truth. The inspiration for this piece is the words “For such a time as this…” These words have been rattling around in my story, my mind, and my heart for years. However, before I launch into that I want to share a bit about this art piece.
If you have been watching and reading my blog, you will know that the layers of art and mixed media speak to me. As I was tearing papers and assembling the focal point on this piece, I was thinking about how much beauty, healing, and redemption there is in the ‘tearing’ of our lives and what our healing journeys often entail. The Quinacridone Gold paint says there is light in this place. There is hope in this place. There is hope in the layers of life and history. The things of this world can be like layers of paint being applied to the windows and doors of our hearts. Perhaps, we don’t know how to get them open. Perhaps it hurts more to think of opening them and easier and safer to just paint over them, coat after coat after coat. Until, one day we realize that the very things that we long for are on the other side of the paint stuck openings in our hearts and minds. As I worked and got messy with paint and glue and pondering “for such a time as this”, I found myself believing that there is more than I can see. Sometimes, that first crack in the seal brings in a breath of fresh air that we didn’t even know we were missing. Do you know that the grungy and dirty layers are also a part of “for such a time as this”? We can’t erase history. We can’t go back. The grunge and the dirty and hard things are what make us ready for “such a time as this.” The layers are part of the story. The very important story of how we got where we are. Okay, enough of that!
Do you ever wonder why things do or do not happen on your timetable? Are you troubled at times to understand the bigger picture? I do all the time. I have found myself processing this at varying levels of negativity in the past. In recent years, I find that I say this to myself a lot.
We don’t understand, at times why things happen when they happen…but our Maker does.
Thirty-two years ago, I made the choice to walk away from my family of origin. The story is long and not very pretty, but the details are not important to the message of this art piece or the happenings in 2022. I will share a bit here though for context.
I entered therapy and began my healing journey when my kids were 5, 3 and 1 years old. I did it so I could heal. I did it so that my children would never know abuse. I did it to break the cycle. I have no regrets.
The cycle is broken. My children are free, beautiful, intelligent, kind, and compassionate people. These ‘kids’ are now 37, 35 & 33. They have many children of their own. They are beautiful humans and I am so proud of them.
On a wing and a prayer and clinging to the only one I knew would carry me through, I put on my deep sh*t boots and started doing the work that would eventually bring me full healing. I didn’t know it would take so long. I knew it would be hard. Somewhere inside of me, I knew it would be worth it. It was hard and it was worth it. I believed that my Jesus, my Papa would see me through and that he would restore me.
“For such a time as this…”
What does that mean?
It means that even though we can’t see the way, there is a way and a purpose – for such a time as this (whatever that time is)
When we are in pain and working through trauma healing, with all of its ugly and bloody tentacles, we cannot see what the future can or might hold, not in full. We are surviving. We were surviving.
It means that when we follow our path, new doors open.
It means that old crusty, painted shut windows and doors get pried open. Not by me, by Him- Jesus.
It means that two people who are walking in faith wait on the Lord.
It means that those two people risk it all – after all – “what do we have to lose?” MKB
It means seeing with new eyes and opening up places in our hearts that have been deadened by time.
“For such a time as this…”
On December 25, 2021, I wrote a post on my Facebook. Unbeknownst to me, my big sis read it. She replied. I had virtually not seen or talked to her in 31 years. It shocked me. I felt so unprepared, but I also felt something crack.
Sometimes, we set things in stone, in places in time, believing they are dead and no longer recoverable. The thought of it was a deafening scream for me for years and years. I could not imagine. I had resolved myself to a meeting one day in heaven when the things of this earth will no longer matter. I longed of that day. It was an anchor. It was an elixir that I sipped on to soothe the nagging longing that I felt. The longing that I could not acknowledge. I was healed, but not that.
Do you know that no matter what we are doing or where we are, God is working? He is working on things seen and unseen. He is tending to the secret, closed-up places in our hearts. He has a plan.
As I sipped on that elixir, He knew the plan.
I could not imagine anything different this side of heaven. I had locked away my longing into the deep recesses of childhood memory. Once in a while, I would enjoy a surprise memory and smile to myself, but never more than that.
The Christmas post…she wrote, I replied. She wrote back, I challenged. She let go. I began to breathe.
Then I prayed. Jesus was working in my heart and my big sis’s. From moment to moment, I didn’t know what He was going to do, but I trusted Him. I cried and I trusted Him.
“For such a time as this…”
On January 14th, I saw my sister. It is hard to describe. We had a beautiful visit.
Now, we chat. We talk about our lives, worship music, our days…like sisters. Like that thing I missed so much!
Though, I can’t change 30+ years we both missed. I wouldn’t change it because I couldn’t change it…
Because, “for such a time as this”.
I needed to heal. She needed to heal. We did heal and are still healing. A little less alone. Her and I are only a small piece of the cosmic plan that God has. I know this. I don’t know what that means. I don’t know how He will do it, but I trust Him.
My friends, when things feel hopeless, know that there is always something right around the corner. No matter what your belief system is, there is always a “for such a time as this…”
There is always more than we can see. When we heal our hearts, the fresh air returns and room is made for things unimagined. When we can let go of control and allow ourselves to hope and believe in the unbelievable, things shift and good and healing things happen.
What does it take?
For me, it is a belief in someone who loves me so completely that He is hyperaware of every feeling and longing that I have. He knows when the time is right.
My friends, is there something you are believing for but not sure what to do or where to go?
Press in. Move closer. Listen carefully. Get quiet. Push aside the sense of impossibility. Push into peace and knowing that things happen in exactly the right time when we are in tune with ourselves and our senses. For me, that is Jesus. For you, it might not be and that’s okay.
Hold onto hope.
Let yourself flirt with the impossible.
Let go of control.
Believe.
Blessings follow you until next time,
Beloved-Reborn
Supply list under photos!
Supplies used:
Golden Glazing Medium – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Golden Fluid Acrylics – Raw Umber, Quinacridone Nickle Azo Gold & Manganese Blue – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Liquitex White Gesso & Fluid Matte Medium – See Basic Mixed Media Supply list below
Art Basics Clear Gesso – https://www.amazon.com/Prima-Marketing-961466-Basics-8-5-Ounce
DecoArt Crackle Paint – http://DecoArt.com
French Script Stamp – Cannot locate this stamp online
Shawn Petite – “She Decided” paper – You can sign up for Shawn’s Subscriber Library to get this free print that I talk about constantly. She has many beautiful freebies as well as an amazing shop – Shawnpetite.com
8 X 10 gallery depth wood panel – http://Joann.com
Butterfly rice paper – https://www.etsy.com/shop/ASCsupplies
List of basic mixed media supplies:
TCW Light & Fluffy Modeling Paste – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=light+and+fluffy+modeling+paste&crid=3PFDSLJUPLGOO&sprefix=light+and+flu%2Caps%2C272&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_13
Shoresua Script Stamp- https://www.amazon.com/Shoresua-Transparent-Silicone-Scrapbooking-Embossing/dp/B07PGN3MR3/ref=sr_1_77?dchild=1&keywords=bo+bunny+stamps&qid=1601231832&sr=8-77
Golden High Flow Acrylic – Transparent Yellow Oxide – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=goldenhigh+flow+acrylics&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Liquitex Matte Medium- https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Matte-Medium-8-Ounce/dp/B000IYWYNE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=74CDOKRUL040&dchild=1&keywords=liquitex+matte+medium&qid=1586229506&sprefix=liquitex+ma%2Caps%2C291&sr=8-1
Liquitex Glazing Medium- https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Multi-Purpose-Acrylic-Polymer-GAC-100/dp/B001YJPX58/ref=sr_1_46?dchild=1&keywords=golden+glazing+medium&qid=1586230065&sr=8-46
Liquitex Heavy Gesso- https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Super-Surface-Medium/dp/B001UNREO6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=liquitex+heavy+gesso&qid=1586229647&sr=8-1
Penny Black Script Stamp- https://www.amazon.com/Penny-Black-Script-Unmounted-40-470/dp/B01HNO5R08/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Penny+Black+script+stamp&qid=1586229678&sr=8-1
Shawn Petite Stencils- https://shop.shawnpetite.com/Stencils-c14287046
Decoart Crackle Paint – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=decoart+crackle+paint&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Rembrandt Soft Pastel – Black – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rembrandt+soft+pastel+black&ref=nb_sb_noss
Golden Fluid Acrylics – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=golden+fluid+acrylics&crid=1140N398O4PP1&sprefix=golden+fluid+%2Caps%2C520&ref=nb_sb_ss_ac-a-p_1_13
Junk Journal Basic Supplies List –
FabriTac Glue – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=fabritac&ref=nb_sb_noss
Art Glitter Glue – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=art+glitter+glue&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Ranger Archival Ink – Vintage Photo – They no longer make the pad so I bought the reinker and a DIY ink pad – https://www.amazon.com/Ranger-AIP48077-Empty-Archival-Pad-Empty/dp/B016A88EAI/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=ranger+diy+ink+pad&qid=1626104364&sr=8-4
Https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vintage+photo+reinker&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
It’s a beautiful piece and a wonderful way to document what’s going on in your life right now. I’m happy for you. To be able to reconnect after so many years is a gift. Keep working at it. ❤️❤️❤️
💛 it is a gift and a walk by faith. It was a fun piece to make.
Cara Renee, the art is beautiful but more so the healing taking place, there is beauty in the scars, they make us who we are, Jesus’ scars make us who we are. I just cannot begin to tell you the peace I feel watching your art, your process, there is a refreshing of the soul in your sharing and I thank you! ❤️
Lynne, I am so happy to see you over here 💛 yes, yes – beauty in the scars for sure. I love how Jesus does that! It blesses my heart to know that it brings folks peace and a sense of refreshment. God is true to His promises to use my story to encourage others 💛 bless you Lynne