Taking time to pause often in this journey called life to reflect on where life is going often yields things about our selves that are unpleasant and sometimes surprising. I guess the surprise is that what is found has either not been noticed before or was, for the most part, ignored. Negatives are the most often ignored and over looked. Unfortunately, it is those negatives that are what have been turning up lately. Without going through a never ending list, it is safe to say there are many things negative in our lives. How we view them and how we deal with them dictates whether or not they are a problem or a blessing. Viewing all things as a blessing is for me the only way to see my life. Yep! Even the negative things. As the old saying goes, " If it were not for the bad things in our lives it would be impossible to recognize (enjoy) the good things in life." What lessons would be had if there were no problems to be solved. Some would say they have no problems or faults. Denial is not a solution to the life we should be living. In an imperfect world it is better to acknowledge the imperfect and work toward the most perfect end possible. I agree there is no such thing as perfection in this life, in this reality, in this world. It is however, the path to the perfection of the life to come and therefore worth the effort to strive for what does not exist in this world. Notice, I did not say can't ? It can but only in one way. (1 John 4:8-9) says "Whoever fails to love does not know God, because God is love. This is the revelation of God’s love for us, that God sent his only Son into the world that we might have life through him." { The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (1 Jn 4:8–9). New York: Doubleday.}
We often focus on the sacrifice of Christ for our salvation. Have you ever considered the Sacrifice of Our father in heaven? The father and son were one in heart, body and spirit. Imagine the pain and pride He felt for His son. Nothing we experience in this life could ever match what they felt. (Mark 15:36-39) "But Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. And the veil of the Sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom. The centurion, who was standing in front of him, had seen how he had died, and he said, ‘In truth this man was Son of God.’"[The New Jerusalem Bible. (1985). (Mk 15:36–39)]. New York: Doubleday). Can you even come close to the pain of taking on the sins of all sinners everywhere and suffering the sins of everyone at once? Our Lord Jesus lived among us and knows our hearts and our minds. He was sent by our father in heaven to show us the perfection that is absent in our lives. That absence is only because our vision is clouded by unbelief. The veil can be lifted by believing the one thing that can change lives in this world. Unfiltered love changes everything. It does not recognize anything negative but encourages that which is positive. The world today has taken on a blind eye and unfeeling heart toward those around them. What they see is seen through a tunnel that excludes all but them and their immediate surroundings. Pain and suffering is rampant and much of our world is subject to the injustice of not caring. Sin in the name of justice is still sin and punishable.
This month I want to share an image I found on Pinterest. It is on several sites but I do not remember which one it was gotten from. I will apologize now for the colors not being true to the actual finished image. Upon showing it to several people, including my artist brother, all agree it is like a photograph. Some day I will learn to adjust the colors to match what the eye sees for the computer.
Copic Colors
Hair E31, E34, E43 Eyes C2, B21, B41, R01
Lips R02
Skin E000, E0000, R0000
Clothing V81
Background Y0000
I hope you like the image. It is grainy and the colors are not what you see on the original but it is the best I can do for now. Remember to always Love The Details. God bless and stay well and safe until next post.
