More Than Pretty Paintings

In my last blog post about the Icefields Parkway collection, I wrote: "Each [painting] serves as an important reminder about the way we choose to live our lives". It took me longer than I intended to get around to it, but here I am finally sharing more about the meaning behind each piece. As I was writing, I enjoyed seeing how they all weave together into one beautiful "picture".

1. "Grow Where You Are Planted" (sold)

   I think we sometimes spend too much time just spinning our wheels trying desperately to escape our current circumstances or reach the next milestone. But this piece serves as a reminder to pause and reflect on where we are right now and to make the most of our current situation. There is a purpose for each season. Look for opportunities to learn, to grow, and to be a blessing to those around you.

2. "Embrace the Journey" (available here)

   Some of us spend so much time trying to get where we're going that we forget what a

   blessing the journey itself is. It is not wrong to want to achieve more, to get that dream job, fall in love, buy your first house, raise a family, travel the world, etc. but I would suggest that once we finally achieve whatever our grand goal is we won't suddenly feel satisfied. There will always be a new dream or goal to work toward (which is great!) but there is so much joy to be cherished along the way: laughs to share, hugs to give, flowers to smell, sunsets to admire...don't miss it. :)

3. "Rest Awhile" (sold)

   This is a fast-paced world. We are always working toward the next thing, often trying to prove our worth by the measure of our productivity. We were not created to work and strive non-stop. It may be a larger task for some of us than for others, but the reality is that we all need rest. Take time to pause, challenge that belief that you only have worth if you're producing, and enjoy the gifts all around you that go unnoticed by the world that rushes by. When we rest we renew our strength, gain perspective, refresh our souls, and find new energy to carry on.

   
   

4. "Hope Remains" (available here)

   Life on earth is undeniably full of trials...some a mere bump in the road, others seemingly immovable mountains. It is natural to get discouraged at times. Sometimes hope feels like a small, flickering flame, threatening to go out. Hope from a wordly perspective is nothing more than wishful thinking, but hope that is placed in Christ will endure. That is because Jesus, Himself, is our Hope. Sometimes our circumstances do change for the "better". Sometimes prayers are answered exactly as we hope in the timing we desire. But when difficulties don't let up and life looks different than we had expected, we can find strength (even joy) in knowing that we have the ultimate victory when we give our lives to the Lord. And one day we will be in heaven with the One who is our Hope and our Salvation.

5. "Keep Going" (sold)

   Sometimes life knocks us down...okay, sometimes it feels more like it has pinned us to the ground and refuses to let up even when we've tapped out. It can be tempting to give up completely, but there is always Hope. I read Psalm 43:5 the other day. It says: "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God." It encouraged me to remember the good that God has done in the past and the ways He has been faithful...and then to look ahead and imagine all the times I will give thanks to Him again for His mercy and love and deliverance in the future. I believe that there will be more moments of abundant joy, of uncontrollable laughter, of miraculous healing and indescribable peace, and I choose to hold tightly to that belief when life feels heavy and unbearable and I don't know how to keep going. God will carry us, if we allow Him to.

6. "Be Bold" (available here)

   Our comfort zone can feel like a very safe place. We avoid the things that make us feel uneasy and only stick to what we know. It only seems natural. Our instinct is to protect ourselves. I know from personal experience that our comfort zones are not always the best option because they keep us from growing and learning what we are really capable of. They get in the way of wonderful, life-changing experiences that stand to improve our lives and who we are as people. When we practice being bold and doing the things we naturally want to hide from, we build our self-esteem and expand our vision of what is possible. Don't hold yourself back. Push yourself out of your comfort zone, even just one tiny step at a time. I'm confident you won't regret it! :)

7. "Worth the Wait" (available here)

   Google classifies "worth the wait" as "something, that after a period of waiting, is good, satisfying, or valuable enough the justify the delay". Waiting is probably one of the hardest things for us to do in this life. We can't see the future, we don't know when something will finally come to fruition, and so we anxiously await its arrival. It is easy to lose patience and get discouraged. But we can choose to focus on what is in our control and look for opportunities to grow and learn along the way. We can hold firmly to the hope of what is to come while appreciating the blessings on the journey. The beautiful thing about waiting for something is that when it finally happens we tend to appreciate it even more!

8. "More Than Conquerors" (available here)

   What we believe about ourselves can make such a difference in the way we live our lives. Do we think we are incapable? already defeated? As I mentioned earlier, we ultimately end up victorious if we have entrusted our lives to God. But even now, as we go about our lives, we can find new strength, hope, and confidence no matter the mountain in front of us because God is greater than any obstacle. He provides us with all that we need and empowers us to overcome through the gift of His peace and guidance. Have confidence knowing that because of Him we are more than conquerors!

   
   

I hope you resonated with some of these paintings and the meaning behind their titles! Which one do you connect with the most or feel challenged by? I'd love to hear from you in the comments. :)

The remaining available paintings from the Icefields Parkway collection are listed (at a highly discounted price) on my website. You can find them here!