I am marveling about.....
Ruth 4:15
"He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age."
My mom! She is such a gift! To us and so many.
The youngest of 16 children, left without a father when he passed away when she was but 6, wife, mother of 8 (twin sons died soon after birth), grandmother of 16, great grandmother of soon to be 27, a humble ,thankful and surrendered daughter of God, a mighty prayer warrior, a friend and mentor to many!
And....a painter:)
And a pretty good one at that:)
Yes, after many years of raising kids, helping out with the grands, being a farm wife, hauling grain in the fall, tending a good sized garden, cooking, freezing, canning, teaching, refereeing, exemplifying, counseling, car-pooling, sewing, altering, volunteering, hosting, praying, helping, overseeing (homework, 4-H projects, activities).....you get the drift, she finally now has time to do something she loves. She paints!
Oh, she did paint a bit some years ago. Took a few lessons. Dabbled with oils on canvas. Turned out some pretty cool stuff. But for the most part, her work was in storage, her supplies waiting for the time when she could pursue this past time with the passion that she had kept in check.
Then, a couple of Winter's ago, God opened up an opportunity for her that gave her a new purpose and outlet, a chance to tap into the creative gift that the Lord blessed her with.
While she and Dad were in FL for the Winter (as had become their custom), she was at a furniture store and studying a picture on the wall wondering if she could replicate a similar type of painting in a class she had recently signed up for. A lady who worked there noticed her and asked her if she painted. Mom brushed it off with a laugh and a comment indicating that she only played around with it for her own enjoyment. The lady went on and asked her if she would consider painting a mural for one of her clients on the wall of her lanai.
Long story short, mom said yes. And God helped her to do a wonderful job! She and that client became good friends as mom worked on the lovely ocean scene complete with the lady's little dog sitting on the beach.
After this experience, mom was all about her painting once again. Once they returned home, she set up a work station in their basement. My Dad and brother built a shelf down there on which she now displays many of her amazing works of art. She has reached out to the grandkids for projects; ideas of what they might want her to paint for them.
Of course, she is now being kept quite busy. She says she is just taking her time, and painting as she feels inspired. She has been turning out, by God's grace, some lovely pieces that will likely grace the walls of her offspring's' homes for many years to come.
What a joy it is to see the Lord's kindness and intervention as He continues to equip and use us even in our older years. We are never too old to stop creating, producing and sharing as we use the gifts He has given us. For His glory!
Thank you Mom for always being there for us. Thank you for your deep love, your heartfelt prayers, your Christian example, your compassion and care. And thank you for the example of being willing to step out and be used, to take on a new challenge and to enjoy the opportunities that the Lord brings our way, when we let Him..no matter our age!
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