All things work together for the good.

 I just haven't had much time to post lately.. Every day it seems that the computer gets less and less use. Art still gets done, but I don't post much lately. Most of my work is given to charity or friends. Today was a warm day. Nice and sunny. I didn't go out, my infirmities kept me in. Plus there was work to be done around the house. This blog is coming to an end. It requires time I don't have. Electronic media I have less and less faith in. There's a spiritual world out there. No one comes to the blog  so I am not sure what the purpose is anymore. . Today there is a lot of fatigue on my part. There is a slogan that goes: H.A.L.T. Hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. Today I am definitely tired. I am somewhat isolated and this colors my mood. I am struggling with faith in the idea that " All things work together for good." Sometimes referred to as it's all good. I get 2-3 hits a day on the blog and it seems that what I am doing isn't making a difference. I believe in Christ. I believe in the power of art to change our emotional world. I believe that God is the most awesome artist. There is a lot to see in this world and the complexity and diversity of life is astounding. He loves us and He wants us to explore His world. Thomas a Kempis said that we are to touch life gently and reverently, we don't know how long we'll be around and it is important that we take the time to examine it. I haven't had much time for prayer this week and I noticed things seem dark and ominous. I see many more threats than miracles. I see a threatening world and a place of much hostility. So I guess the angry part of hungry, angry... fits as well.
     Some years ago I was in an unfortunate event that left me traumatized. I spent five years recuperating.... The people around me were a mixed bunch. I was very depressed and lost faith in God and people. I used my art to post a small drawing of an ibis. The caption for the drawing said:  "You shall be secure because there is hope." Job 11: 18.  Though there was lots of drugs, alcohol, shifty people and temptation, I was never bothered. God watched over me as I recuperated from a head injury. Christ makes sure that we are not harmed as long as we do His will. I really don't know why I was attacked. I really don't know where Christ was when I was injured. Perhaps that is why I struggled with faith at times. " All things work together to the good..." It has been quite a number of years since my injury. I discovered I am an artist, I use art to process all my feelings. I can make time stand still when I paint. My art connects me with safe people, alienates those who would harm me. Art and Jesus go together for some reason that I don't quite understand. All that I know is it protects me. Perhaps before I was assaulted I had no idea how vulnerable I was to danger.
     Some years ago I had a friend that taught me an important lesson. She was going through a rough financial patch. One day I noticed that she had posted an affirmation on her office door. She was posting her belief that God would get her through this. For thousands of years people in Judah would post signs on their doorposts  that God would get them through rough times. Several years ago I started doing this. I would illustrate little signs like the ones in my blog. I would post them in my studio where I would  see them. This started something like the Ibis on my door when I was living alone. " You shall be secure because there is hope" God started working in my life when I started posting affirmations all around me. I sought counseling. I started going to recovery groups. I started praying again after years of not being able to. I began to read my  Bible. Recently I have returned to church. All because of a  little sign on a doorpost. Don't ever give up on God. Because He will not give up on you. God bless. Dale