When we are feeling the brokenness in our lives, fragility setting in our bones and holes penetrating our hearts, may we never cease to live.
I was taking a very slow walk last week and noticed these beautiful plants in our garden. Despite the many holes and frailties of its existence, the dried sagging leaves and broken core… they are all alive. Full of colors and strength. Living in the New Year. Beautiful. And I just had to capture them with my pen and paint.
I had been in prayer and fasting for the whole week in participation with our Church. However I committed not to a water only fast but rather a lessening my usual portion in eating. I also fasted on social media and the other pleasures of life.
I PRAY whenever the temptation strikes me to eat desserts or surf the net or be excited with the vanities of the world. And it made me realize how we all crave for fleshy needs. We are so used to it that often we choose to allow these to control our lives.
But then I realize that I can live without it. That though I am missing on the latest news and series they are not a matter of life and death. They are not a necessity of life. I realize that these have been holding me up from using my time wisely.
I pray for all people around the world. I pray for healing of broken hearts and lives. I pray for salvation of those who don’t know God yet. I pray and surrender all that is to come.
I offer to God my faith goals for this year. Thankful for the present and living forward. God’s plans will be a joy to behold. And with Him we can do our mission.
Let us be refreshed in His love.
PPF!
A free ebook that helps you create expressive sketches of your life in pen and watercolor.
24 Responses
JKW
This is an amazing visual. I too, beginning today, will be in Prayer and Fasting for 21 days with my church. Besides all you mentioned, letting go of the past is also a difficult task. Less is More for the Lord. Many Blessings, Janet PPF
Elisa Choi
Happy for you Janet! Excited to see how God will move in your life…in our lives. God bless!
Gloria J Zucaro
Good Evening, Eloise. I wish you success in your “cleansing”.. It is amazing that if you don’t listen to the news(almost always bad) you don’t feel that the world is in turmoil, you feel more peaceful. The only world is what is right around you. Beautiful colorful flowers.
Elisa Choi
Thank you so much Gloria and good afternoon to you in our country:) I love what you said. And though we cannot certainly avoid the real happenings of the world we can choose to be at peace with where we are right now and the people we have with us and with God. And as for the world, let us keep on praying.
Mari
Your thinking is the best you can have, do what you love and love what you do., Very good. Saludos
Anne
Beautiful post, beautiful art – very touching! HPPF!
Annette G
Smashing illustration and thank you for sharing your thoughts. Happy PPF, Annette x
Linda K
What a lovely post. I commend you for your cleansing/ fasting. You are so right about not needing to know everything happening everywhere. I rarely watch/read the news and now prefer the peace and quiet of not having a tv on so much. It gives me more time to really reflect on things and put them in perspective. Happy PPF!
Mary C. Nasser
What a wonderfully thoughtful post and artwork!
My garden inspires me, too!
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Lynn Cohen
Lovely! HPPF!
Faye
Beautiful painting, Lis. I fasted in the past, but as I age several of my meds require food or my stomach gets hurt. I think that you have found that there can be various kinds of fasts. Fasting certainly makes one more aware of God and of his purpose for our lives.
Giggles
Thoughtful and loving post and beautiful colorful artwork! All the best in this challenge!!
Hugs Giggles
Alicia
what a wonderful message, re. the plants!! I find that insights like that come easier during times of fasting than during ‘regular’ times. I always give up something significant for all of lent, and do a juice fast once a season at least. Best of luck and stay strong!
Elisa Choi
I fully agree Alicia! I find that when I am in solitude do I think more clearly.. and most of all aligning my life with God. Thank you very much!
Elisa Choi
Thank you Giggles!
Elisa Choi
Well said faye! We will have another mid year fast this June. Take care!
Elisa Choi
Thank you Lynn!
Elisa Choi
Thank you Mary! :)
Elisa Choi
Thank you Linda. Well said. More peace in our lives.
Elisa Choi
Thanks Netty. :)
Elisa Choi
Thank you Anne:)
Elisa Choi
Thank you Mari!
The Editor
Such vivid colour amongst the greenery. We liked the pink edged purple. We also enjoyed your words.
Elisa Choi
Thank you so much! I adore the pink edge too. :)