Help Came            July 2007  Monday

        Truth be told, when I am preparing to put a show together,
   I get pretty greedy. Ask my wife, I work hard to get "one more piece
   ready." This time when I turned the title list to the Merriam gallery
   staff, several works were still unfinished. When I got off from my day job,
   I went to work getting pieces ready for the show, including varnishing
   the work. It was the last week of summer school, a Wednesday morning,
   when I slipped out back to varnish a couple pieces "early in the day,"
   instead of waiting till after work. There air was still, some humidity,
   and no rain, BUT as I sprayed "The Water Hole" it became clear something
   was wrong. The spray clouded up the painted surface.
                            I stopped immediately,
   put both pieces up in my outdoor drying space, and headed back
   in the house. I has just wrecked something I had put lots and lots
   of hours into. I felt mad at myself for being greedy, and for trying
   to cut corners. I was anxious, wondering what to do, and I still had
   a day's work ahead of me. Not a good start, I thought.
         During breakfast I thumbed through the bible, looking for anything
   to get my mind off disaster, when these words caught my attention.
   "the helpless call on him and he saves them from all their troubles."
   Psalms 34 verse 6. "The helpless call on him and he saves them from all
   their troubles," I muttered. Then repeated the verse so both ears heard it.
   I worked at fixing my eggs on the stove and started the coffee maker.
   As I continued my morning routine, I repeated the verse again.
          As I dwelled on this thought "the helpless call on him and
   he saves them from all their troubles,"  the heavy shadows moved away.
   By the time I was out the door, my spirits had lifted, and I was able
   to focus on the day.
         After summer school that day, where I work as a teacher, I moved on
   to my "get done first" list. And, at one point, went out to check
   both paintings. The varnish had dried clear.
                   The images were untarnished.
   My heart leaped with astonishment and joy. (In my journal I later wrote,
   you delivered me from all my fear. Yes...this day...this moment in time...
   yes...you acted on my behalf. Thank you!!!!)
   
           *********************************************************************
 
        Let me mention this. I asked my wife to pray for my hands before
   I went into my studio to finish the paintings for the Merriam show.
   Each time I asked her she was quick to bless. Her support was steady.
  She asked Jesus to give me wisdom, focus, enthusiasm, and joy.
   Lots of painting decisions were made. Help came. The show got ready.

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         So, I am out mowing my lawn......the reception was last week,
   all went well. And I come back to this. It is so easy for me to lose track.
   I forget about the help that came. I get caught up in my own thoughts.
   Anxious thoughts return. And, as I mow....I remember.....yep, there is more
   going on here than "what I did for this Merriam exhibit." Someone is
   here to help me. To keep me sane. To settle my heart. To rest and dwell.
   As an painter I am greedy and needy. When the anxiety sidetracks me,
   I become helpless.........In this moment, I stop and turn......and recall....
   and repeat for my ears to hear, "the helpless call on him and
   he saves them from all their troubles."   (be exalted! you are able!)
  

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