Coming to Life (1)

This is indeed the day

that the Lord hath made;

let us be glad 

and rejoice in it!

We have to start sometime.

Now!

We have to start somehow.

See!

We have to start somewhere.

Here!

Polly Berrien Berends, Coming to Life

Before:

After:

Holy Humdrum and Holy Hardship
3.5 x 5.5" postcard; acrylic, ink, and collage on cardstock
abstract
2020

The Inner Life of Hibernation, 4

In discussing her coming to understand that God loves her no matter what, no matter what, no matter what, Shauna Niequist, author of Present Over Perfect, writes these words that jump off the page at me, feeling up close and personal:

I can't imagine anything more life-changing for an earner like me.

detail from work in progress
36 x 36", acrylic

The Inner Life of Hibernation, 3

In Present Over Perfect, Niequist adds:

[God's] love is secure
no matter what,
no matter what,
no matter what.
No matter what I do
or don't do.

detail from work in progress
36 x 36", acrylic

The Inner Life of Hibernation, 2

Speaking about God's love, Shauna Niequist continues in Present Over Perfect:

And also that there's nothing

I can do in this new day

to ruin or break that love—

nothing.

detail from work in progress
36 x 36"; acrylic on canvas

The Inner Life of Hibernation

Shauna Niequist writes in Present Over Perfect:

Before the day begins—

I remind myself what is true:

that God loves me,

and that there is nothing I can do 

in this new day 

to earn more love—

nothing.

detail from work in progress
36 x 36", acrylic on canvas