Love me for who I am

I want to be allowed to be myself
To be loved for who I am
I want to be accepted, flaws and all
Despite the mistakes of my past

I want to live beyond our past
To spend our time looking forward
I want to celebrate the goodness in each other
Offering the gift of forgiveness and trust

I want the opportunity to grow
To show off the person I've become
To shine with the love that's in my heart
For you to tell me that it's enough

Numbers 15:38

The tassels dangle from the corners of the afghan
So soft and fluffy and colorful
And as I wrap the afghan around myself
Caressing the fabric of the tassel
I'm struck with a memory of God
Who said to put blue thread in the tassels
As a reminder of His commandments
So that we might turn from the promptings
And the sinful inclinations of our hearts
Denying ourselves instead and changing our ways
Becoming holy like God is holy
And so I wrap the afghan around myself
Caressing the fabric of the tassel
Feeling myself enfolded in His love
And knowing that He is near

Emerald Waters

This is another Bob Ross technique - it's my new favorite

Autum Stream

This painting took several days - not my best, but worth posting, I guess

Between Fear and Hope

Fear ricochets across her thoughts
Hope echoing within her heart
Emotions vying for domination
Leaving her exhausted and confused

She want so much to hope again
To let her walls down and trust
To let love in and let it grow
And nurture and blossom and bloom

She's afraid of going back
Only to find things haven't changed
Of putting herself in the path of pain
And getting hurt yet again

Fear and hope struggle inside
Neither emotion strong enough
To claim victory over her future
And so she'll wait and do nothing

Arctic Beauty

This is my favorite so far - another Bob Ross.
The photo doesn't do the painting justice
I'm loving this new hobby!

Goodbye

Her lips brushed his
ever so gently
tentatively
reluctantly
tasting of tears
lingering
letting go

Winter Scene

Here's my latest painting - I think I did a good job, although I can see all the flaws...

Sweet Slumber

The rain kept me awake last night
Pounding against the window
Like the aching sorrow inside
Resounding against my heart

Perhaps it was my thoughts
That may have kept me awake
Like the unceasing rain outside
Thrumming in my brain

Eventually the rain did stop
As did my thoughts
Sweet slumber overtook me
Brought you to me in my dream

Joy of painting

I tried Bob Ross's joy of painting technique
What Bob could do in 30 minutes on PBS
I did in an hour
Maybe if I took a little longer it might have been better
But for a first try, I'd say it's not too bad
My camera kind of washed it out
It looks better on the actual canvas
I still need to practice painting trees

Am I an artist or what?

What do you think of my first real painting?
I thought it was better before I put the darn tree in the way!

Rays of Hope

Sunshine lingers beyond the horizon

Casting rays of hope and promise

In the colors of the clouds

And though night is falling

And it will be dark soon

Still she has the assurance

That a new day will dawn

And though there is the possibility

That the sun won't shine tomorrow

Yet still she knows the sun is out there

And eventually it will shine again