When the Good Shepherd speaks

Maybe you don't know this about me, but when i paint certain animals, its almost like a prayer. Sometimes it feels like a reminder too. Like I'm preaching to myself, exhorting myself even. Can you tell I'm processing this as I write?

When I paint horses, I feel like I am bursting with life, power in love and creativity. Like an unbridled, untethered wildness. I grew up with Horses at my Dads farm and they taught me gentleness in tandem with great force and power. And instilled in me fortitude, resilience and courage. Interestingly enough, at the same time a restfulness. There is something that happens to you when you are riding a horse very calmly through the woods. Still, and for no reason other than to enjoy the woods. Something about a horse that also just makes me wanna have tangled hair for days and mud caked up on my care feet. 

When I paint Chickens I always think about the verse: "Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Psalm 23. Wanna know why? I keep a running log of animal names in my phone. Its a quirk of mine. Some are cities in Ecuador, some Indian tribes, some classic pairs like Lucy and Ethel, or Dolly and Jolene. Thelma and Louise have been tossed around. Bonnie. Dottie. Sweetie. Classie. Anything that ends with that endearing -ie sound. Theres also food. Jambalaya. Sugar. Honey. ButterBabe. 

I was sitting in church one day, not paying attention- purposefully if I'm honest as I don't always agree with everything preached- but then a verse was read-- a favorite of mine.... "Surely Goodness and Mercy shall Follow me all the days of my life..." And my jaw dropped, I thought "Those are PERFECT CHICKEN NAMES! Shirley, Goodness and Mercy!" Within a few years, I dreamt up a backyard of chickens, a homemade chicken coop and Shirley Girl, Goodness and Mercy. I used the time to paint chicken after chicken to 1) learn how. 2) pay for my backyard chicken endeavors. The girls and I had so much fun. We had 10 Chickens. Each laying a different color egg. I had built something i never built before- a coop, and then went on to build a HUGE run. And felt so fearless, I built a HUGE garden too. And  best yet I had Shirley, Goodness and Mercy following me around the yard. 

When I paint cows I'm tickled by how a creature we all know sticks its tongue in its nose, uses its tail to swish flies, makes the nastiest pies I've accidentally stepped in more times than I'd like to admit can be painted and dolled up in a gold frame. It blesses me bc I have faults too. Some just as prevalent as my wonderful qualities- similar to the cows beautiful starting point of my favorite : Butter, cheese, milk. Also- have you seen them run when they are happy. Bunch a goofballs. How does that bulky animal skip like a giddy kid? Its strange and delightful at once.

Okay. The duck. Lord help me when I see that periwinkle on their fluffy butts. Lord help me when I hear them quack and imagine they just hear a good joke and are in a laughing fit. Oh lord, when they go bottoms up and dunk down for their breakfast. Oh, and the way they take such care fluffing and puffing and diving to scoop water on their backs for their baths. Their bright orange feet. And the way they nibble food out of your palm. I'm just full of delight, never have I spent more time watching and animal with content and delight. Reminds me always to be so grateful for the things you don't realize you can be grateful for. To see. To linger. To love and to find joy in the silly. 

The bunny. You know. I know. Its a sweet furry cotton tail miracle. The one who seems timid but loves the dawn and dusk. To be vulnerable and brave in its everyday. And to multiply like crazy. I believe that alone is a good reminder to myself-- multiply. Multiply joy. Multiply love. Abundance. My middle name is Elizabeth and it means "My God is Abundance." There is no lack in the Lord. He is Abundance. Anyway, thats one of the reasons i paint those little critters-- the reminder of the abounding nature of God in his love and grace and joy.

Heres where I wanted to land today specifically-- the Sheep. I find myself painting these when Im reflective. Remembering how cared for I am. Seen. Known. And how gentle the heart of God is towards us. I love painting Momma sheep with her two babies, because I am just that. A momma, with my two babies, and my wonderful counselor, my Good Shepherd leads me. in various ways- restores my soul. Leads me beside still waters. Makes me lie down in green pastures. Prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies. That's pretty cool to remember when I start to act like its all on me. Sarah girl, its not. 

I have a handful of papers that are quotes, excerpts that blow around my home as if there were a breeze floating through. They are stuffed in books, make their way by my bedstand, land in boxes and drawers. They've been blowing around for decades. I caught one a few weeks ago and pinned it down for now on a bulletin board above my desk. This is what it says. And this alone was the purpose of this journal post-- I hope it is something that will blow around in you heart for decades to come.

"When the Good Shepherd speaks to His own, He never uses words of despair., hopelessness, defeat, discouragement, fear, confusion, or failure. Instead, He gives His sheep words of hope, rest, victory, peace, power, joy, triumph, and love."

xoxo,

Sarah Elizabeth