Our trials in life are not all straight forward. Some are fraught with struggle and resistance. Come on now! Admit it. We all say "No" to change or a problem that is painful or difficult to handle. We resist doing what the spirit tells us to do. When we tire of the struggle and "hash it out in our minds" we often find a place of acceptance. At times that is all that was asked in the first place. Acceptance. It happens at times that a lesson is not "to do" but "to listen" and learn. Obedience to the word of God's spirit, the grace it brings, the lessons it teaches are all part of the growth process in His embrace. Faith can be a struggle when there is no answer in sight. When we first come to realize the saving grace of God it is hard to perceive the idea of not being able to earn God's Love. The things in our past that cause us pain whether it was caused by someone toward us, caused by us toward them or something completely non malicious is difficult to deal with. Even harder is the heart of forgiveness. That includes not only forgiving someone but forgiving one's self. (Luke 6:37) Repentance is often only completed if we forgive our self as well as them. This is the part often left out of the struggle and it is the part most often needed for healing. It is also the final release from resistance needed to be free. Life is hard enough without us punishing ourselves or someone else.
The image today is one I have had for some time but I am not sure where it came from. It was in with some images from Digital Tuesday so it is assumed that is where it came from.
As with most if not all of the images done by me Copics are used. They are: YG97 - YG61 - YR65 - YR15 - R39 - R89. Hope all is well with all of you in this new year. Remember to always Love The Details. God Bless.
Welcome in the new year with an open heart and an eye toward the gift that we just celebrated. The gift of life that was viewed as impossible in old testament times. There was the law that was not for the gentile but for the chosen people of Yahwey. Jesus was born to change all of that at the cross. Colossians 3:9-11 says "You have stripped off your old behavior with your old self, and you have put on a new self which will progress towards true knowledge the more it is renewed in the image of its Creator; and in that image there is no room for distinction between Greek and Jew, between the circumcised and uncircumcised, or between barbarian and Scythian, slave and free. There is only Christ: he is everything and he is in everything." (The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Col 3:9–11). New York: Doubleday.) We are a people called to our Lord Through grace. He makes our existence new every day. That which was is no more for this is a new day and a new you. We have been accepted into His realm and death is forever abolished.(1 John 2:25) Yes we constantly sin even though we try to avoid it. The past is the past and every second of the present is new and never was before. Strive to not be as you were in the past but be renewed as you go forward. (2 Col 4:16)
This image, as are all of my images, is colored with Copics. Sorry I do not remember what colors were used. The image is from Mo's Digital Images.
For some reason the background on the left side is shaded gray. It is probably due to the way the image is photographed. Thank You for the visit. Remember to always Love The Details. God Bless.
That is a strong statement to be sure. Considering that most people make resolutions that will be shredded before they are a month into the year, it is also relevant. The most successful are those that take the moment, the hour and the day as it is given to them. Opportunities are in the here and now. They are usually once and done. Missing them is to never see them again. It is OK to dream but dreams are not reality. They come with living the life given to the best of our abilities with an eye on the present.
