I mentioned in my March 6th blog the way I paint looks differently now.

I used to paint lots of pet portraits, still life and landscapes. And I still love those subjects and love to paint them, but God has been showing me a different way of painting. I’m not entirely sure how to describe what I see that He’s showing me, but it’s abstract pictures I see in my mind whenever I’m reading scripture or listening to worship music. I shared a little bit about it with my Isaiah 41:13 painting. The Lord has also shown me something when reading the 23rd Psalm — particularly verse four.

This May 16th will be three years since Jim went to be with the Lord. As that date approaches, I have noticed I’m feeing “heavier” for lack of a better description. I started feeling that way back in April — almost a month before the actual anniversary of Jim’s death. I think part of that feeling is the memories from this time three years ago of how horrible Jim’s cancer was — especially during his last days. It was heartbreakingly brutal on him, and devastating for our family to watch. We absolutely walked through the valley of the shadow of death with Jim.

It wasn’t until a few months ago that the Lord began showing me the “valley of the shadow of death” in my mind. Through worship songs and studying His word, I pictured that valley — where hope is lost, dreams are shattered, futures are spoiled. It’s broken and shattered. But you know what? We don’t stay in that valley of death and destruction according to Psalm 23:4. David states in this verse what he knows to be true of the Lord — “even though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for YOU ARE WITH ME.” Two hopeful promises — we walk THROUGH, which means we don’t live there, and the Lord is WITH us as we go through it.

This brings SO MUCH HOPE. We are not alone even in the very worst times of our lives. In all the heartache I went through, the Lord was walking with me through it all. He is with me, was always with me, will always be with me.

So — the painting. In my mind I saw the valley of the shadow of death — broken, chaotic, dark. But on both sides of this valley there is light because it wasn’t always death and it won’t always be death. The line through the valley from light into the valley back into light is the path — where I walked before, during and after. The metallic gold represents the Holy Spirit who was always with me — even in the worst moment of my life.

The painting depicts hope even in the midst of despair. I hope and pray that you grow deeply in your relationship with the Lord who will never leave you or forsake you — who will always hold your right hand and walk with you THROUGH the darkest valley.

All glory to the Lord who loves me forever and ever.