Gift – Prayers and Paintbrushes

Welcoming the Easter Lamb

I’m a long way past chocolate bunnies, Easter bonnets and white patent leather shoes – not to mention Easter baskets, or dying and hiding eggs. It’s all part of the family tradition and is/was certainly fun. It has its place in our families. But the real Easter recognizes the end of darkness and beginning of Light as Jesus overcame a brutal death on the cross on my behalf – on your behalf – and resurrected to LIFE.

Without the miracle of that first Easter morning and the resurrection of Jesus, there would be no need for the Church. This is the reason He came – to buy us back offering us His righteousness for our darkness and sin. His love for us is offered as a free gift requiring only that we receive it with gratitude: open hands and open heart to receive the forgiveness and grace only He can give. It costs you nothing. But to ignore it costs you everything

I pray you will find the Easter gift of the Lamb of God – God’s ultimate sacrifice of His Son – this Easter Sunday. Watch “The Chosen,” free on “The Chosen” app, and be blessed to watch His story unfold before your eyes. Regardless, the cost to you is only a prayer away. Even if your belief is small, it is enough! Ask Him and see if He isn’t faithful to His promises. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Praying for peace in our nation and in our world, trusting that He who gave us His story is faithful and will redeem that which is broken in His time. AMEN

So What is a Businesstry Anyway?

When I started painting watercolors in 2015, I had no idea what I was to do with this painting gig I had begun. The more paintings I had the opportunity to paint for others, 🎨 the more I realized this was as much a ministry as it was a business. That is when I found the word “businesstry” beginning to define my passion. Painting is a means whereby I can hopefully create something unique that will bring joy. I paint because it also brings me joy and enables me to hopefully bless people in my own way.

The article below was printed in our local paper in 2019. It was a great privilege for me to be interviewed and to tell my story.

I have painted over 300 watercolors. I have painted portraits, animals, places I’ve seen and places you’ve been.

If you just like to window shop, all my 300+ paintings are available in the following formats: as prints (canvas, paper, framed, matted or not, wood, metal) throw pillows, towels, T-shirts, coffee cups, masks, shower curtains, phone covers, tote bags, cards, spiral notebooks, Yoga mats – I’m probably forgetting something.

I want to celebrate life. Truly many of us are struggling with the sharp turns our lives have made in the last year or so. But I believe we should choose to make our lives count for something. I feel I have been incredibly blessed and I am grateful I know and trust Jesus with my present, my future – my eternity! I want my life to reflect the truth of God’s handiwork in our world and tell of His incredible sacrifice on our behalf. I believe Him! I KNOW Him. I love Him. I pray that my paintings would bless someone. I pray that my words would encourage someone to pray and ask for faith to believe and to walk the rest of their lives with Him by their side. He is FAITHFUL.

I never would have imagined I would paint, or would blog, or would have articles written about me (in 3 places!) There has been a lot of painful loss in my life, but the Lord never abandoned me. He led me through and He guides my steps. So this is my description of my “Businesstry,” that I might prayerfully paint and thoughfully compose – that I might shine light on your path today – whichever road you are on – and bless you.

I would be privileged to paint something that would be special for you: a person, a pet, a place or a magical moment in your life. I invite you to message me.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Easter and New Beginnings

Easter is coming! Flowers are blooming, butterflies, birds and blossoms abound and, at least where I live, real life feels like it is returning to our communities. As winter has turned to spring, the darkness of the last many months seems to be brightening and hope seems to be on the horizon.

There is something uniquely special about Easter Sunday and it has nothing to do with dying eggs, baskets or chocolate bunnies. The most profound truth about Easter is the sequence of events leading up to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. He came to us, loved on us, taught us, then died for us. This singular, incredible real-life event of history offers real HOPE to our world. And the price for this astonishing free GIFT is simply to believe and receive it, to trust and obey Him.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I know many who have felt so wounded and lost this past year. So much was taken from all of us. I pray that if you have struggled at all, that you would look at Easter with fresh eyes. What can you turn from despair to hope, from lost to found, from dark to light? Reach your hand to Jesus who gave His life to buy us back into His family. Even if you don’t completely understand the cost of His gift, He will honor your faith and redeem that which has been lost.

This week we remember His suffering on our behalf as the days lead up to Easter Sunday. I recommend watching “The Resurrection” which is showing on Discovery and shares the impact this had not only on His disciples and mother Mary, but on the Romans, High Priest and other Jewish leaders. And in addition, I highly recommend the wonderful ongoing mini-series called, “The Chosen” which airs the first episode of season two on Easter Sunday 8pm ET. You can watch the entirely of season one free on YouTube or on The Chosen app.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Jesus loves you, this I know.

Blessed to be a blessing

Last night my husband and I watched “The Chosen Christmas Special.” The talented director, Dallas Jenkins, made a comment that really stuck with my husband and me and I knew I wanted to share these words. Read them until they sink in…

“It’s not your job to feed the 5000. It’s only to provide the loaves and the fish.”

This powerful statement is a reference to the event in Matthew 14:16-21 where Jesus fed over 5000 very hungry people when presented with only five loaves of bread and two fish. He took the miniscule offering that was provided and did “…immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work…” (Ephesians 3:20). Jesus took a small gift offered from man and manifested an incredible miracle that only God could do.

“It’s not my job to feed 5000. It’s only to provide loaves and fish.” Wow! It’s not my job! I’m not able to fix the things or people I’m concerned about. I don’t need to shoulder the burden of how circumstances will all turn out. Neither the outcome nor their response is mine to stress over. I have a responsibility to present a gift of time, resources, or in a package wrapped with holiday paper and the Lord takes over from there. This is so freeing! I can’t fix homelessness, world hunger, my family member’s depression or job loss, fears about illness, or concerns about our world at large. But I will ask the Lord to do what I cannot do especially with my small gift. He will be our provision and I will pray, “Loaves and fishes, Lord!”

Lord, the needs in our families, communities, and the world are great. We feel so unequal to the task of blessing those around us whose emotional, physical or spiritual needs overwhelm us. We lay the weight of these burdens at Your feet, Lord. We entrust healing, protection, and provision to You. But I ask that You would take our gifts, such as they are – to the homeless, the missionary far from home, our community, our family members – given out of our very finite love and compassion, and shower Heavenly blessing from Your hand. That we might look up see Your glory at work around us.

We absolutely love and highly recommend watching “The Chosen” as it is an amazing and inspiring mini-series on the life of Christ and his disciples. The first season is available to watch free on YouTube or on their free The Chosen app. Give yourself a Christmas gift and watch!