God’s Creation Brings Healing to the Broken Heart
God’s kingdom of wild animals is endless. Creatures of all sizes, colors, rarity, and characteristics. He surely must have had fun creating each one, even down to the smallest detail. As an artist, my skills were more tailored to the commercial aspect of the art field. Long gone are the days of drawing into the wee hours of the night. Once children came along, paintings were placed on a shelf for another day which never came.
Our family home came with challenges far greater than I could handle. Crises became the norm, and I did not know who I was anymore. Of course, those were not the only things to which life was left in chaos. Add drama, trauma, PTSD, and family changes. Needless to say, every foundation I knew… wiped away.
Almost thirty years later with a heart that is still healing, God renewed my passion for art once again. I dared to attempt an art medium I despised. Pastels, hate them or love them. So, with a slight dare to myself, I purchased the pastels.
I had forgotten those peaceful days of drawing. Like the stillness of ocean waters, I found this same solace in each stroke of the pencil. There was a new connection. When I felt unrest, my art would bring a calmness to my inner spirit. Painting after painting, I leaned into this place of serenity. This is what God does when we lean into Him during our times of struggle and pain.
My love of wild animals brought a new curiosity to understand their characteristics and way of life. The more I dove into their personalities, the more I saw God speaking to mankind: Humbleness with the elephant, courage with the eagle, strength with the horse. So many attributes for each one. I could sit for hours in awe and inspiration as I researched each animal, bird, and more.
God did more than just create these animals. Although they’re wondrous to look at, valuable to learn from, and inspiring, there is a deeper teachable relationship than previously imagined between man and animal. Some animals are wonderful companions to man giving comfort, enjoyment, and even therapeutic. Others defy logic when you hear of wild animals actually rescuing or protecting a small child or adult from dangers in nature.
Animals were given instincts above a human’s comprehension that recognizes fear, danger, and sadness. Stories of dolphins who fought off sharks to protect a human are well documented. Children scared and lost in the forests are guided by wolves to a safe destination. Horses who helped autistic children come out of their shells. The list just goes on and on. God gifted animals to help one another, provide environmentally, and even heal a broken heart.
Each pastel painting created on my art table becomes alive spiritually for me. They are majestic, powerful, and a connection with God through His creation. An intimacy born through each drawing which teaches how God too, is our protector, our strength, our peace, and our comfort. For once, I wish I was Noah, who got to spend days upon days caring after each creature. Unfortunately, I will not be able to do the same until I am at my eternal home with ALL of God’s creation.
Today, I LOVE pastel painting. In fact, I have tried other mediums and continue to fall right back into pastels. Little did I realize that my pastel paintings would give me so much joy and even therapeutic healing. This year, I will be publishing a children’s book incorporating wildlife and how God uses animals to heal the hurting heart.
Upcoming….Scripture Prayers for parents who have struggling and hurting teens and young adults. I will be focusing on specific issues of concerns for parents and using the Word of God as a tool to pray for your child. When the topic is completed, there will be a new topic of scripture prayers added as well as a PDF for your own to print out and use as your prayer tool.
Blessings! Stacy Lee Flury
