The artist chooses sea green and sweeps it onto the canvas. The basic outline has been completed and she now releases herself to place life in the picture with her creative eye. The first lines provided the impression of what was to be, but as layer upon layer of colour is added, the message of the art comes alive.
The designer of this project, a writer, had a vision of how the art would show her message. As they spoke of styles and meanings the artist realized the importance of this assignment. The designer herself would be enjoying the finished piece. She did not plan to showcase it, but if someone were to notice she would willingly share the meaning of each element and what they meant within the piece.
Finally, the artist chooses the final colour. The bright red would both add to and distract from the rest of the picture. She letters with blood the title of the piece under the book and quill.
“My Story is Eternal”
The artist is pleased, so steps back to allow the canvas to rise and make her way to the mirror. The designer gazes at her newly tattooed chest and draws a quick breath.
“How beautiful!” she whispers, a catch in her throat. Tears well inside her heart but do not complete the journey to her eyes. She has been drained dry by the last few years. Now she is simply grateful, awed, excited.
“The scars are not completely covered, but my eyes are not drawn to them. Even the radiation tattoo dot has disappeared!” The designer, herself the canvas, sees her message and is amazed at the fine lines of truth.
The eye of God. “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me,” she hummed the Gospel hymn based on Psalm 32:8, Matthew 6:26, and Matthew 10:29-31.
The dove, God’s Spirit hovering in every circumstance, causing holy winds and healing breezes to move through her heart.
The cross, the blood of her Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, promising healing, purpose, and hope to come from life’s scourging. Eternal comfort.
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Writing stories of my life builds my faith as I see how God has been present in each detail. Faith provides hope in my stories. Both faith and writing are indelibly tattooed into my life.
Because of God, my story is eternal.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:1-5 (New Living Translation