I told you all that I’d be updating you and I know that it’s been some time since I last wrote. So much good going on that I’ve just had so little time but here I am and I’ve finally slowed down a bit (although I’m truly itching to get started on a painting.
You all know that I believe in being transparent, if you’ve read my previous entries. I just know how my pastor’s transparency truly helps me to feel not so alone in this struggle that we call life. It’s always good to find out that others aren’t perfect either, huh? So, this entry has an extra bit of oomph from the Holy Spirit so please pray to have an open mind if this is something that you struggle with…I assure you that I would not intentionally lead you astray but I know that I am also not perfect either so you all must check with the Holy Spirit yourselves to know within your hearts what is true as I do with anyone’s writings that I read.
Not long after the start of my teeth being prepared for the partial plate, I was asked to place some of my artwork into a gallery/boutique in Sarasota, Florida. Sarasota, for those of you who don’t know, is said to be the art hub of Florida. So, this was very exciting. But along with it came more prayer and questioning due to the fact that the gallery wanted to sell my mosaics but most of all my mosaic crosses. I’ve not avidly done mosaics for several years mostly due to the fact that grouting is perplexing with the Florida humidity and if done inside in the AC, the mess is more than I’d like to deal with. But, I moved forward in faith believing that if God was in this that He would open the doors to whatever I was supposed to do or close the doors to something that may become a potential hazard in my life.
First of all was tackling my husband’s acceptance of this, which I knew could just slam a door shut in a hurry. It took a couple of fret-filled days on my part for him to agree to this. These days were certainly filled with much prayer and leaving it in God’s hands over and over and over again. My hubby and I have had an amazing, Godly organization for nearly our entire marriage. When I come upon certain decisions (but not enough of them) I ask for God to bring my husband and I into agreement of His will. So, I know if I’m supposed to do something and he agrees that God’s will is in it. I believe this is the main reason why he and I have been married for nearly 21 years after only dating for 9 weeks. God has proven this to me time and again, but that’s another blog entry entirely! He did finally go for me putting my things in this gallery which I shared with the owner and went on to prepare a display of my artwork (if you’d like to see the art that I have down there, I have an album with photos of all the items on my fan page at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/set=a.271812482840125.68891.112759922078716 I will soon be adding some photos of the Muse Galleria to share with others, also).
In the midst of all of this I received an e-mail with a disabled artist opportunity (don’t like being called disabled since I believe that God enabled me, but I will use this to promote my art if given the opportunity). I could submit 1-2 pieces of art, to be on in an exhibit and on sale at the Governor’s Convention on Volunteerism. Which I ended up planning on after this, even though I only had one week to choose/prepare, etc… the artwork that I would submit. So, I actually called on prayer warriors from my church to make sure that I had God’s wisdom & knowledge on all of this and His will be done.
To make a long story just a little bit shorter, I submitted 2 paintings (one old and one new). The really cool thing is that I’d only started playing with watercolor two weeks prior to this point and I had the inspiration for a painting that is watercolor and acrylic. I submitted them and they were chosen for the exhibit. Praise the Lord!
"Sonshine" 18X24 Watercolor/Acrylic
"Where My Heart Belongs" 11X14 Acrylic
(I think something should be said here. My husband once asked why there are crosses in all of my paintings. Well, to start out with God does not ONLY give me the inspiration for artwork with crosses in it so they do not ALL have crosses in them. But, many do because that it who I am. I have received this talent from God and I use it to glorify Him, however He shows me to do it.)
So, as I said, many awesome things have been happening in my life. Last Sunday in church I was elated. God reminded me of a promise He showed me in His word way back not long after I rededicated my life to Him. I was so done with the world and I certainly thought that the world was done with me. Then, He showed me: *Proverbs 3:3,4 “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.” And, I’d prayed for many years but actually forgotten for the most part about this promise that He was now bringing to fruition. I’m so far from that person that I was when I rededicated my life to Him that it even seems like a different person.
I was elated! Then Monday came and I was depressed, lacked motivation, uninspired, agitated and on and on. Why? I questioned God all week. No clue as to why all this good was happening in my life but I was feeling so sad. On Friday morning I left the dentist office, finding out that it would be less than 2 weeks before getting my smile back. And, I was so very upset. Why? As I drove to a restaurant for lunch, I contemplated. I ate lunch and headed for Sarasota to set up the display of my art and it hit me, I wanted to call and share it all with my mom. I’d never had so much going on in my life before at one time without having her there to talk to (for those of you who don’t know, my mother was promoted to glory on 1/12/11), and I cried most of the way to Sarasota. But, that dark cloud started to lift as soon as I realized why it was happening which seems to always happen. It is my belief that this is according to *2 Corinthians 1:4 “who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” It is more for others than for even me. I believe I am blessed that it seems that God believes that I can handle it…Hallelujah!
On Sunday in church we were experiencing a tremendous time of worship during which I held my hands to my heart in the midst of a special Papa moment when I feel a deep sense of closeness to our Father. I was telling Him all about these old habits to do with my folks and how I didn’t want them anymore. After a minute or so my mind told me that I should have my hands in the air in worship, but I tried and I could not get my arms to move. Then I saw in my mind’s eye that He had His arms tightly around me and He told me that He was healing me. He was healing my heart of these habits. And I bawled! It has been quite hard learning to live as the top of the totem pole here on earth with both of my folks gone to be with Him. My mother in law was also promoted to glory in August of this year. But, I now know that I’m just walking into a different season of life and I also know that there is no one vying for my attention (except for my husband, of course but he knows that it’s also our heavenly Father that has helped us to maintain this relationship for more than 20 years). He is the Rock in which I lay my foundation.
And, I just love sharing a video with all of you that has blessed me recently. I've heard this song time and again on the radio but had not yet purchased the MP3 until recently. Just love it! This is by Todd Agnew and Rebecca St. James. I saw her in concert twice in the 90's and even took my step-son. We were majorly blessed! Enjoy!
May God bless you through my writing. If He has especially touched you in any way, please leave a comment below. Your comments are so very encouraging to me to help me to keep writing. Also, click on the “Uptweet” button on the above right and share! I pray you will keep coming back. I fully believe that my writing is by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so if I am writing, there is someone that needs to read it! Maybe it’s you? Please be sure to share any questions you might have with me and if you would like to keep them personal (just between you and me) please don’t hesitate to e-mail me at juliana.pace@gmail.com. If I don’t know how to answer you, I will may every attempt to refer you to someone for more information. Please feel free to share this writing with others! Thanks and may God bless all your days!
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