{ Shine Bright :: © Jan Avellana, 2012 :: Original mixed-media }
We’re here, and we made it together! The final day of our 6 week journey.
As for me, this has been a project near and dear to my heart for some time now. I received a book (Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak) from my dear friend, about 8 years ago or so, during a time my struggle with work (teaching) so miserable, I could barely hold on. It was life to me. There were friends like that didn’t fully understand what my struggle was all about, who couldn’t fix anything for me, but loved me through it and stuck by me even if they felt helpless at times. There was my Pastor,at Wellsping Covenant Chruch here in Hawaii who looked at me in the eye—a decade after I had disowned the title of artist— after having spilled my insides out onto the table before him at Starbucks, and simply said of my inner angst, “Well, it’s because you are an artist.” It was my artgroup that nurtured me as I began to find my creative voice again, who made me feel like I wasn’t so crazy after all. It was my sister who whisked me away for movies and countless scoops of ice cream and my husband who always knows to take me to the beach when I think I just can’t pursue my dreams any longer—and then hands me a teriyaki chicken plate from Keneke’s. And there was and is my online sisterhood, my tribe, that continues to grow one person at a time—that sustains and encourages me—regardless of the thousands of miles that separate us.
God blessed me with folks who loved me—and I know He has also blessed you—and by letting them in, we can feel not so alone after years of trying to talk with people who give us either blank stares or furrowed brows of consternation. Because of the misery I’ve experienced in my life, and the relief and hope that I have received from others, I want to be that light for someone else.
And this is my personal challenge to you, that for the rest of your days you might…
Be the light for someone in your world. Light up the darkness wherever you go, simply by being YOU.
14 “Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. 15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. 16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5: 14-16 (The Message)
Pastor Dale reminded me this week, that alhough Job suffered greatly for what must have seemed an eternity, God was ever present. His story ends like this:
“The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first.” ~Job 42:12a
May it be so for you and may it be so for me, dear Lord.
I really do love you all.
XOXO,
Jan
Thanks' Jan
Posted by: Gerda Smit | May 24, 2013 at 03:47 PM
I am so glad I came across your blog today, especially this message above. Some times I feel lost as far as what direction am I meant to go in, how can I use my art and how can I uplift and love myself and help and uplift others. I am going to copy down what you wrote about "And this is my personal challenge to you..." I am going to put this were I can see it and read it daily. Thank you for this blog message today, it really hit home.
Posted by: Rebecca | October 01, 2013 at 05:52 PM