Night Light

Trusting God Always Involves Risk

Years ago, when I was struggling with trusting Jesus, a dear friend told me a story.  If memory serves me correctly, the story is true.

It seems a mountain climber and his Sherpa guide, were well into a treacherous mountain ascent.  Although it was not snowing at the time, there was deep ice and snow everywhere.  It was bitterly cold. The ledge they used as an excuse for a 'foot path' was so narrow, that one foot had to be carefully placed in front of the other.

To miss step was to fall hundreds of feet to a certain death.

The Sherpa knew the route well.  Tied to his guide, the climber made sure he placed his own feet in the Sherpa's imprint.  Sometimes he would hold onto the Sherpa's backpack to keep himself steady.  The higher they climbed, the more dangerous the path became, the more rocks loosened and fell, and the slower they moved.

Abruptly, the Sherpa disappeared into a pitch black cave in the side of the mountain.  Without missing a beat, he walked confidently into the complete darkness.

But the climber could see nothing.  Just black.  He pulled on the Shepa's backpack.

"We need to stop!" yelled the climber.
"Why?"
"I can't SEE!"

The Sherpa stopped. Turning his head he said, "If you only trust me when it is light, and you can see where I am going, then you don't trust me at all."

****

So now, when those Dark Cave Moments come, I grab Jesus' backpack, close my eyes, and (risk) trusting God.  Especially when I can't see a thing.

Is Jesus your Guide?
Brooke

Le Bumble Bee

Bumble Enjoys The Lilies of Maine

I watched Brooke paint this.  In about fifteen minutes, maybe less.  She's like a woman on fire when she does these "Speed Paintings".

First, (after taping down the paper), she soaks it in water.  Soaks.  No, not in a tub (although that's been known to happen), but with a 4 inch Hake brush, dipped repeatedly in a 5 gallon bucket of clean water.  Slopped all over the paper.  I mean there's water everywhere.

Then, grabbing and tossing brushes into colors, then water jugs, then buckets, then paint, then yelling, "No!  NO! Not a 10, a twenty" and other incomphrehensibles, she attacks the paper.

Sometimes, she has two or three brushes in one hand.  Sometimes, they fall on the floor.  Sometimes she picks them up, mostly she doesn't.  Her hands fly so fast, it's hard to see them.

Then, as suddenly as the flurry began, it abruptly stops.  She leaves everything wherever it's landed.  And just walks out the door.

No commentary.  No outbursts.  No nothing.  Just gone.

But, I have learned something new, in watching this latest demonstration.  Do NOT use a hair dryer on these 'Speed Paintings'.  The colors need to 'expand' into the paper.  Brooke leaves so she won't be tempted to 'fix' anything.  She'll be back in an hour or so.

You'll see.

Mildred

Oh, addendum:  Seems folks want to know that the paper is Strathmore 300 cold press watercolor paper, painted on the wrong side.  The watercolors are Shin Han professional colors.  The brushes are sizes 10, 12, 16, 20 and 1 inch (various brands).  The air is from Maine.  The humidity is currently from Georgia.  The water is delicious well water (do we care?), and I think I'm done....