War-Torn Women
Outcome Independent
March 26, 2024
From Shutdown to Stillness
May 14, 2024
As I painted the following image, I understood a definite progression of form and thought. So often I have lamented for women around the world who have never been safe and have not had the chance to give their children a secure upbringing. My heart aches for those women. In my own raw moments with God, I have grieved the challenges and pain I’ve faced. You and I will do much better at continuing to face our challenges if we allow ourselves to be honest with ourselves and with God.
You are invited to use this blog installment as a meditative practice, a Visio Divina. To do so, find a quiet place and spend time gazing at the image. What emotions does it evoke in you? What time in your life does it remind you of? Do any friends or global situations come to mind? When you feel ready, prayerfully read the accompanying Scripture. Maybe journaling some thoughts would help you understand more of how God wants to lead you in prayer or what he wants to do in your heart. As you feel ready, scroll downward and slowly look at the next images and Scriptures as they develop.
I would be thrilled to hear what God speaks to you through this practice. In a few weeks, my next blog article will talk about what God spoke into me and my traumatic experiences as I created this image.
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow,
Which was brought upon me when the Lord inflicted on the day of his fierce anger.
From on high he sent fire;
into my bones he made it descend;
He spread a net for my feet;
He turned me back;
He has left me stunned,
faint all the day long.
Lamentations 1:12-13 (ESV)
Why is my pain unceasing,
and my wound incurable,
refusing to be healed?
Jeremiah 15:18a (ESV)
And so He told them this parable, saying,
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the open pasture
and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
“And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
“And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors,
saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’
Luke 15:3-6 (NASB20)
The LORD is my shepherd, I will not be in need.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For the sake of His name.
Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB20)
10 Comments
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church (Colossians 1:24)
I have thought about this verse often, Jim. I’m always wondering how we do this, what attitude to have toward suffering, and how to keep trusting God as we offer up our pain.
I look for the baby or young child in her arms. I know it’s there! If not, her pain is magnified to a level called unbearable. I think back to situations
with our own children. How the Lord took us thru. How we longed for them at times. Other times we prayed for them while our hearts hurt.
He will feed His flock like a shepherd
He will gather the lambs with His arm
And carry them in His bosom
And gently lead Those Who Are With Young.
Isaiah 40:11
Gretchen, I hear your heart for the children. You showed me a new insight into the painting. Yes, her arms are empty…which does mean her pain is greatly magnified. I made the tears beautiful colors – they are beautiful because God sees them.
I love how the parts were added. Each added drawing speaks of a facet . . . .Felt so safe when the circle was added around her.
Yes, Joanne! When we can move from that sense of abandonment to realization of God’s presence, we are safe. So glad you saw that.
I have always loved your use of line and the way it informs meaning for your pieces. The figure is static, I see a mountain of grief, immovable, yet the movement happens around that grief, the tears and free flowing watercolor in the circle around her. The grief is a constant, but the outworking from it is not, it is actually quite colorful and vibrant, a symbol of life. I see her empty hands as well, doing as all mothers do, cradling someone precious.
Very insightful, Stephanie. Definitely, the woman is frozen, stuck in her grief. But around that place of despair more is happening than she realizes. You gave me new thoughts!
Sarah, you have captured the depth of feeling of being a woman in sorrow, and the end of herself, AND at the same time soothing with color and hope.I found myself relating to your images and resonating with the accompanying Scripture. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind comment, Valerie. My prayer is that we will all find the hope and comfort that comes when we allow ourselves to grieve and then rest in God’s love.