Month: July 2023

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Lessons from Art Class

“I don’t want to make a sea otter.” One of my younger art students proclaimed. She was looking instead at the camouflaged deer which was a complicated project made in the class before. I had materials ready for the sea otter. The materials for the deer had been used up with the previous class. “We are doing the sea otter.” I explained. “That project was for the older class.”

She insisted, and one after another of her classmates voiced their objections to doing sea otters. Funny how discontent spreads.

I passed out the materials for the sea otters. Most of the students forgot their objections when they saw the materials, which included paint. Two students still wanted plain paper to come up with their own idea. I gave them plain white paper and a tin full of colored pencils with the warning that I would not be able to help them since I was teaching the Sea Otter lesson.   

The original objector asked for various supplies. I told her no, that I was working with the students who wanted to make Sea Otters. She would have to make due with plain paper and colored pencils. She had chosen to be on her own. I was not available to help her.

After the students had gone, I felt God nudging me. How often have I acted like that student?

God asks me to do something. Something He has planned for me to do. He has provided the materials. He is ready to work with me and teach me through the difficult spots.

Sometimes I put my head down and get to work. Sometimes I think I have a better idea. Sometimes I want to do the job He has given to somebody else. Sometimes I work on my own idea while asking God to help me again and again.

His response? “I thought you wanted to be on your own?” …and after I have struggled enough to see my need and my foolishness, He will come along side me with a gentle rebuke and help me get out of the mess I find myself in.

Sometimes I will argue until I realize I need to trust Him even if it makes no sense to me, or seems impossible, or is not what I would have chosen.

Father, forgive me. I am sorry that you must remind me again and again that Your way is the best way. It will not always be the easiest, but it will always be the best.

For Further Study:

But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’ Jeremiah 18:12

For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face; But in the time of their trouble they will say, “Arise and save us.’ Jeremiah 2:27b

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

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Don’t Despair

Discouragement has set in. I have so much to be thankful for, but there are situations that are long term heartaches. One after another, they sap energy and joy. God reminds me daily that He is with me and I will see good even yet.

Psalm 27:13-14 reminds me…”I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”

My fallback prayer is…”Show me something good, I need to see something good.”

Days like this I wish I could talk to my Dad.

He grew up during the depression and served in WW II. He would be a wealth of encouragement. My memory of him was laughter and joy, but I know there were periods of deep sadness in his life as well. Sadness he never talked about or dwelt on. Day by day he was faithful to his faithful God. Day by day he got strength and joy from the God who is full of lovingkindness.

While cleaning out some drawers I ran across an old cassette tape with my Dad’s writing on it.  Finding a cassette player that worked was another challenge. I finally was able to hook up the tape deck to our stereo system. The first song I heard was him playing the violin. The song? “Jesus Took My Burden”. The words came back to me as I listened. Here are the words to the chorus.

Yes, Jesus took my burden I could no longer bear,

Yes, Jesus took my burden in answer to my prayer;

My anxious fears subsided. My spirit was made strong.

For Jesus took my burden, and left me with a song.

My Dad died almost 34 years ago and yet here God was using him to encourage me today. Yes, God was again showing me something good, something very good. The example of a man who lived his life faithfully through good and bad, because He trusted His good God to be with him through it all.

So don’t despair. Life is hard. Troubles will come and go. Sometimes troubles will come to stay, but Jesus takes our burdens and gives us joy in the midst. The blessing of daily being able to lean on His strong arms is priceless.

“For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you, ‘Do not fear I will help you’.   Isaiah 41:13