Learn to be still ...

Morning Light by Karen Mathison Schmidt
16 x 20 • acrylic on cradled Gessobord

I’ve been working on a painting which is a surprise gift for someone who may or may not see this blog, so I can’t post it yet. But here’s one I finished in January for Acrylic Secrets. My step by step process for this painting is in the book.

From May of last year until about, um, November or so, on any given weekday we had various combinations of carpenters, roofers, electricians, plumbers, window installers and painters at our house starting at 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, sometimes Saturdays and holidays.

Whew!

And that was only for the exterior. And the places inside where there was water damage from a leaky roof.

One morning right after we had the new windows put in I was passing the doorway of this room upstairs where I had arranged a little place for my morning prayer and Bible reading, and I was struck by the beauty of the light streaming in, and how it was dancing around all the objects and spreading all across the floor in those interesting negative-space shapes. I had been searching and searching for a subject for my "interior/still life" project for the book, and here it was, a little oasis of stillness in the midst of all the renovation mess and chaos.

Whenever I look at this picture (which is now down in my parlor) it makes me think of how, as I strive to walk with Him daily, God gives me His peace, even in the midst of uncertainty and stress. A peace which truly “surpasses all comprehension.” What a precious gift!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

– Philippians 4:3-7