... the great work of redemption! It’s there where much praise is rooted.
• That hot day in Northern Ghana, it was a homemade desk freshly built for them, and someone willing to kick the soccer ball that joy was found. I remember this moment well. The next day I was scheduled for a very long bus ride back to the coast of the country, and unfortunately back into a displaced state. I knew the grandeur of those smiling faces would soon be an after thought to the upcoming weeks I had left in the country. I remember begging the Lord for home. I remember battling in a war that felt so empty and alone. A small room from strangers and walks on streets I didn’t know. The last few months of Ghana were hellish. My heart beating backwards from the great work of redemption. • •
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My physical lived off instant oatmeal and bottled water, and I literally spent those last days hopping from random place to random place to occupy my time until I buckled into the airplane seat. I also remember bouts of not leaving the concrete walled room for days. And there came a stabbing instance when my heart didn’t believe in redemption. I felt guilty for not showing more joy to these kids. I felt shame as if I had let the Lord down because this “missionary journey” seriously turned out to be INSANELY OPPOSITE as I had ever imagined. I ended up hating Ghana. •
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The end of Psalm 104 took so much time to resonate with my hardened heart. Ghana’s babies rejoicing in their new desk, I see now, is but a baby glimpse of eternity’s joy. It is only in the great work of redemption that the sinner, that I, can find confidence and joy in my Father... that I can rejoice in all His works, that souls can be touched by his grace (oh how much has been measured for me!) that even past our mess ups and mishaps... redemption lets us meditate on and praise Him!
#jubilprints #art #watercolor #truth #ghana #africa #healing #hope #jesus #painting #psalm104 #print #redemption #joy
Once upon a time, I lived in Africa. Probably the most spiritually dry year of my life. If you’d met me there, in all honesty, we would have all questioned if I really knew Jesus. It took a good four years after that red dirt journey for someone to actually challenge my walk with the Lord. Not in a way that made me want to punch them, but in way that made me want to life-hug them. They asked me hard questions. Were able to listen with ears I had not yet known, to the deep beats of the hurt in my heart. The loved me. And I owe much to how honestly they loved me. •
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Over the last few weeks, my students have been extra curious about my personal life. It happens this time of year. They know me better now, they want to lovingly pry, and they ask me all sorts of questions. I feel like I have spoken of the hard Africa season so much lately. It has brought me back to so many cries, and how to see what was once my lost in other people’s lost. •
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And I’ve decided to break out the real brushes and water to paint about it. And pray again through the painting.
#jubilprints #art #painting #watercolor #journey #seasons #heart #africa #africanbabies #healing #joy #jesus
