Good Friday With A Chance of Thunderstorms

Today is Good Friday. A day of mixed emotions; thankfulness, joy, sadness. A day where we take a moment to stand still and listen to our sovereign God. Today is a day that many will skip over as "just another day."

As followers of Christ, we realized the reverence and solemness in this day. We pause for a minute, remember our savior, then continue in a quiet but thankful manor. We recognized the most precious and beautiful sacrifice that was ever made. We realize that today is not just another Friday, today is Good Friday.

Where I live, we are currently under a tornado watch and a severe thunderstorm warning. I found myself begin to be afraid. I was convicted, I struggled, and I got cold. I scrolled through facebook, did the dishes, and watched tv. I tried to get my mind off of the current situation outside. Then, I realized that I couldn't. I realized that nothing was going to help, but Jesus! I started praying, "God, forgive me! How selfish I am to be scared after you have set me free. How selfish am I to sit here and not be totally in awe of your sacrifice to me."

I decided to paint. I turned off the tv, turned on You Came by Bethel, and sat down with all my supplies. There is something about painting while the beautiful, tear drops of Heaven come down. It's mesmerizing! So I paint. I knew that I was going to paint something that had to do with Jesus. Being Good Friday, I decided to paint Jesus on the cross, but with rain all around. I knew that was symbolic, that it is raining around 2,019 years later on this humanly horrifying, spiritually magnifying day.

I finished, now I am sitting here typing this for you. I have realized something that I have heard the entirety of my life but never understood. That Jesus was thinking about this exact moment 2019 years ago. He thought about me getting scared in this storm. He knew I would paint. He specifically planned for my mom to be in town and that I would be out of school. He knew that since my mother was gone, I would face this storm alone (but not really).

I realized God's plan. I found his love, once again. I noticed his beauty. And now I will watch him take something (like this painting), that is not a masterpiece, and change hearts with it. I am thankful to be able to watch the body of Christ become more like Him everyday. I am honored to be able to paint and write about the love of Jesus.

So, wherever you are today. Remember. Take a minute to remember Jesus' love, grace, faithfulness, and sacrifice; because without it, we would all be bound for Hell.

I finished my painting, and I was going to add some words, but that still, small voice brought my hand to a halt. He said, "Let the painting speak for itself."

So here I am, not explaining my painting, just the spiritual growth and maturity that happened on this Good Friday, while painting this piece.

I pray that this touches many hearts.