Re-entry

These images have come since I've been back from China. This time of re-entering my home culture is always pretty difficult for me. When I say difficult I mean I am lonely, I lack vision, God seems distant, and I can't find the words to really connect with what is going on beneath the surface. This time though, I have a new way to process what is going on in my heart. In addition to the outlet art provides, this time God has given me many opportunities to verbally process my time in East Asia and also what is happening inside of me now in response to the opportunity to enter another culture.
Anyway, these things do not make re-entry less difficult for me, but I am able to chart where I am better and I have many companions on the journey. I'm so glad. So a little about the pieces. I woke up this morning with a heavy heart. I was sad and the tears came for no apparent reason. As I was praying and reading Psalm 19 I had a picture of resting on God's chest. In my mind's eye, as I did this, I noticed the storm clouds building around me, but they didn't bother me. I could see them, but was able to rest in God's presence. So the first thing I painted was Grace in the Storm. Immediately after that I painted Dancing. It is in response to a tape I heard on Matthew 6 about a week ago. The message was about trusting God to provide for us the way he provides for the birds. I see this provision as not only physical, but also emotional and spiritual. My heart deeply resonates with the theme of trusting God. I want to, but I often feel like I am waiting for him to fail me.
The other two paintings Grace and Grief have both come about after talks with friends in the states connected me emotionally to things I grieved in East Asia.

Grace in the Storm


Dancing


Grief


Grace

It has been fun to share a brief bit of my journey with my fellow bloggers. Thanks for reading!