Hope…
Hope…
a theme that has been strong throughout my life…times with it…
and those without…
But one that I feel a strong connection to…because I understand the full spectrum.
Recently, I was asked by the pastor of my church to help with a series he is doing on the essential foundations of our lives…faith, hope, love…and integrity. I chose hope…
This took a huge leap of faith…
I had to paint in church….
during the service…
in front of everyone…
{photo courtesy this sweet girl’s husband…she had the privilege of painting the “Faith” door}
It was scary. And the night before I almost lost my hope…but I woke up that morning with an open heart and during the moments when the music was resounding in my ear and my brush was moving…my hope was renewed and restored. Just as it always is.
I don’t know why I chose to post so seriously tonight…my intention in coming to this space was simply to share with you that I am still here…and checking in to say hello…and let you know I am keeping busy preparing for the opportunity I had mentioned {I promise I will share it soon!}. It will be next Monday…so I do hope you will come by to enjoy it with me…
I am swimming in supplies in my art studio…and trying to create….create….create……
and all the while keep my hope 😉
and I am.
I hope that your week is filled with hope.
Precious, beautiful, attainable…………. h o p e.
Ps. 147:11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Till next time…
24 Comments
rosa
Everything happens for a reason!!! see?!!!
Love the 1st picture!
Your drawing looks soo pretty!
Take care and keep hoping!
Rosa
Denise M
Alice……your words are always so inspiring………I can’t wait to what you are up to…..
Margaret Bouwmeester
It’s beautiful! I can’t wait to see the finished picture. That is so wonderful, you must be very proud of your work! Hope is the garnish on the plate of Life…… without it, it would just be food!
Hugs,
Margaret B
Rebecca
Good morning Alice, What a wonderful post….”Hope” an amazing feeling for such a short little word ~ How much power it holds in just four little letters.
Beautiful images ~ wishes for a wonderful day! ~ Rebecca
Mamaayanna
Just beautiful! ….. Glad we were both painting that day. SO glad this project was/is on in church, it made us meet and I am sure we will hang out more over the years to come! 🙂
Try to rest some in between all creative work.
x
Leah C
“(s)He who has hope, has everything…” There are days when I cling to this thought…when it is hope that sees me through. Your words are beautiful, once again:) Have a hopeful day!
christina
love it. You were courageous to do something, but it will have a forever lasting effect on you for good. By your courage, you encouraged others. Your painting is beautiful.
ChristinaG.
June
It is ‘hope’ that gets me through my days.
Another beautiful post Alice.
Julie Marie Vicknair
Hello sweet Alice,… faith, hope and love… my favorite words… when I was a little girl, my mama used those words so often… “never give up hope”… “have a little faith”… “our family is built on love”… I can still hear her soft voice telling me those things… love to you… Julie Marie
Violet
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing Alice, as you hold in uplifted hands your gift of HOPE for all to see and receive. What love God shows us with these gifts! ~ Violet
Carole
I “hope” all good things come your way Alice.
I am so very sure that it will. Life can get overwhelming at times…hope is always what pulls us thru!
Take care,
Carole
Vanessa {Bloom Right Here!}
What a beautiful post. This project sounds interesting. I’d love to hear more about this service at your church. Do you have pictures of the finished doors?
Tami from: www.SouthStreetShabby.blogspot.com
Alice,
What a wonderful idea your Pastor had! To have the opportunity to express it, live, has got to be so challenging… As a painter myself, I understand how difficult it must have been, but kind of invigorating at the same time. I paint the glass doors seasonally at my office. It takes a morning…nothing too complicated, but I usually have an audience. At first it was difficult, but it got easier. It’s like someone can watch you pour your soul into the paint…strangely cool.
BTW…I went to the “Turner to Cezanne” exhibit at the Everson Museum in Syracuse tonight…..awesome is all I can say. Look it up on the web…really incredible.
Tami E.
Tracie~My Petite Maison
Beautiful and it speaks to us all in our hopes, Alice.
When I read “in front of everyone” my stomach took a turn for you… really! You inspire me to reach higher.
By my vanity mirror:
The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
xo~Tracie
Barbara
Lovely post! Hope and courage. You have plenty of both!
Can we see the finished doors?
Jo-Anne
Alice, Your blog looks so so beautiful and peaceful. Love the music too..
Happy Thanksgiving to you sweet friend 🙂
Jo-Anne
Cheryl at Casual Cottage Chic
I am HOPEFUL you will share your painted door with us when complete! I’m certain it will radiate with faith, hope and love.
Allison
Alice,
I was just thinking about ‘hope’ yesterday and today… that ‘hope’ is the word I most ‘identify’ with related to life and my relationship with Jesus and how that came about… lack of hope before, incredible hope I didn’t know existed since coming to know him! So, what a refreshing post to run into today. Thanks for sharing- this was beautiful!
Allison from Dallas (that e-mailed you recently : ) )
Sandi
Alice,
I just want you to know that you inspire me! You are so young and have accomplished so much in your young life and I know that God has great things in store for you. You just keep walking with Him and doing your best and everything else will follow. Beautiful post that fills me with hope.
Hugs~
Lisa Leo
Praise God from who all blessings flow………
Janean
Alice, enjoyed your post. hope keeps us afloat, in my humble opinion. take it away, and our spirits die. thank you for reminding me of that little four-letter word so full of promise.
Melissa
Congrats on being the featured seller on Etsy. Good for you!
Continue to push on, stay focused and keep your loved ones close and dear to your heart.
Life has a way of tending to us, sometimes is the most wonderful ways, good luck,
melissa
Lora
beautiful painting! we have artists painting at the front of my church every sunday during worship. it is always so inspiring! congratulations on being etsy’s featured seller! i am glad i found out about your shop and your blog.
blessings,
lora
Rose
Alice what a wonderful post, I can’t wait to see the finished project. Hope is an amazing thing isn’t it? Sometimes I feel I lose faith…and somehow when I feel most lost and afraid…Hope seems to come to me. Besos, Rose