© 2017 Lynn Abbott
I have never been particularly courageous even though, as a child, I pretended to be.
My ruse must have been fairly successful because one Saturday afternoon, my neighborhood friends designated me “the leader.”
I sported my new Kelly green, banana seat bike. It was my dream vehicle, and a recent Birthday present.
I’ll never forget that eighth birthday.
Or that game of “Follow the Leader.”
The gymnastics that I asked that Kelly green machine to perform were truly amazing. I glanced over my shoulder before I attempted my boldest move. Suddenly, I sharply turned the handlebars.
The outcome? I hurdled headlong and hit the cul-de-sac pavement.
Splat!
Face plant.
Gasping, I nevertheless tried to appear indifferent. But a bright piece of enamel mocked me from the pavement.
The gymnastics that I asked that Kelly green machine to perform were truly amazing.
“My tooth!” I shouted.
Then, my tears began to flow.
That’s right. I blew my cover.
I was no Evel Knievel. And I had failed miserably as the “leader.”
I scooped the piece of my shattered tooth from the asphalt, and ran home lickety-split.
Never mind my bike. I had lost a significant chunk of my tooth…and reputation.
As you can well imagine, I approached my bike more cautiously from that day forward.
Indeed, I think that after that I began to approach a good many things more cautiously. After all, although the world can be a magical place, it also can be quite dangerous.
Certainly, my life’s journey has vastly differed from my youthful daydreams.
All those adolescent plans to change the world?
Splat.
And as if to add injury to insult: the headlines daily report uncertainty, danger, pain and suffering greater than that of a broken tooth.
I was no Evel Knievel. And I had failed miserably as the “leader.”
In fact, I have to admit that in recent weeks, this world has appeared to me to be particularly filled with heartbreak and fear.
Sometimes, I just want to run home…
Perhaps, you’ve felt uneasy as well.
It could be that tragedy has touched your life personally.
You or a loved one faces illness, betrayal, fractured relationships, financial meltdown, grief…
Or it could be that you watch helplessly as others engage in futile battles. You long to carry their burdens as they make their impossible and unexpected journeys.
You gasp as evil appears to march unchecked. Shadows grow.
Nevertheless, like me, you put on your bravest face as you hurdle over life’s handlebars.
Yeah, there aren’t many Evel Knievals among us.
Funny how it works.
God seems to prefer to light small candles rather than to fire up powerful searchlights.
Or to put it yet another way, God chooses the “foolish things of this world to confound the wise,” ( I Corinthians 1:27 ).
Throughout human history, the worldly insignificant, the wildly imperfect, and absolutely fearful have populated the cast of Abba’s epic, gospel of grace.
God seems to prefer to light small candles rather than to fire up powerful searchlights.
Reading the opening chapter of Matthew’s gospel, I note that the broken, weary, frightened, imperfect and decidedly ordinary comprise the Messianic line.
Of course, the purpose of the genealogy in Matthew serves to establish Christ as the promised King, of the line of David.
However, a closer look at the names of those recorded there reveals God’s heart.
As I review Matthew chapter one, I read Abraham’s name and I recall his many failures, his doubts and fears.
Rahab, the prostitute who sheltered Israel’s spies in Jericho, also made the genealogy.
And Ruth, the Moabite convert to Judaism, is listed there, too. From a human perspective, she seems an unlikely choice for Messiah’s line.
Yet, to Ruth was born Obed; to Obed, a son named Jesse.
And to Jesse? David, the shepherd boy.
We remember David for both his success and later failure as a king. However, God’s choice also initially puzzled both David’s family and God’s prophet.
God, therefore, assured Samuel that the overlooked David was God’s choice: “…for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart,” (I Samuel 16:7).
Of course, we also read of Joseph, the carpenter and step-father of Jesus.
We certainly can’t ignore Mary, likely a young teen, when God chose her to carry Christ.
“…for God sees not as man sees…”
Yet, through Christ’s diverse genealogy, God reminds me that He chooses and empowers the seemingly insignificant as well as the sometimes faltering and fearful to accomplish great things.
Without a doubt, I’m an unlikely ambassador for the King of Kings. Oftentimes, I face plant.
Yes, you and I run home to our heavenly Father.
In such moments, Abba comforts, forgives and lifts His children.
Then, He recommissions us with this unfailing promise: “Do not fear, for I am with you…”
“And the LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed,” ~Deuteronomy 31:8
Through Ink & Image 
I love this painting.
Your work is beyond lovely.
But, I’m not at all surprised. You are a Child of The King. His love shines through you.
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I love you, dear Jackie. Thank you for being the special friend that you are! Your encouragement has always spurred me on in my walk with our heavenly Father. Without Him, where would I be? I hate to think of it. You and your friendship are truly a great blessing in my life! Thank you for your kind and inspiring words here! ❤
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Soooo true. We have to remain confident in God’s presence in our lives . He is much stronger than the devil and his minions. In fact He won the final victory for all. Btw, what media do you commonly use for your work? Loved this one!
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Thank you so much for your wise words here! Yes, indeed! God is stronger and has won the battle already. The enemy simply sputters still. So thankful that we serve the Sovereign Shepherd!! As far what media… I’m not quite sure that I understand your question. Perhaps, you are asking about the program I use to edit photos? I photograph my work with my Canon Rebel T3i, and then I crop the photo in Corel Paint Shop. The program is getting old and so I will have to upgrade at some point. Just means I have to learn a new system and that always takes up precious time. So, I’ve been putting it off. Ha! Thanks for taking your valuable time to read my post! It means the world to me. I’m so thankful to have met you here online! What a beautiful sister in Christ you are! ❤
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So your work is from photographs? I thought they were your paintings. I was wondering if the original is oil, water color or acrylic. Whatever they are, they are indeed stunning. Do you sell your work online?
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Oh, no, Kathy… You were absolutely correct in your first thoughts. All the images are photographs OF my paintings. I thought you were asking how I photographed my paintings to post them online. Forgive my misunderstanding. My paintings are all in oil. I do have an artist’s website that you can find by clicking on the Lynn Abbott Studios tab on my blog. I haven’t activated the e-commerce on my artist’s site (to sell my original work there), however, since I have recently had my site redesigned and have some questions for my web-designer about the new e-commerce settings. Prints of my work can be purchased, however, through Red Bubble. That info is on my artist’s website, I believe. Thank you for your kind words about my work! I am truly honored as you most clearly are married to a very talented artist and are an artist yourself, and thus, your praise means the world! God bless you big time, my wonderful friend!
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Paul has a great body of work and has appeared in some galleries and plein air competitions, but I know he could sell more paintings. He has boxes and crates of them. He’s checking out a website, but both of us are really leery of technology. Such a dilemma being an artist of any sort. We have talents to share, but without getting exposure work seems to sit on the shelf too long. Thanks for your compliments. We seem to have a mutual admiration society here.
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I completely understand Paul’s hesitation about technology. Keeping up with it all is a job in itself! But it sounds like Paul has a wonderful “problem”… an extraordinary body of work just ready and waiting for a new home! It’s just a matter of letting people know what he has available! And yes, indeed…it appears we do have a mutual admiration society. And I’m so honored. Thank you! ❤️
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It’s so much fun to meet kindred spirits through this particular technology. It warms my heart to know there are so many out there.
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Yes, indeed! 🙂 ❤
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Ouch, what a memory!!!! This world definitely is dark, but how awesome is our God’s glory and His light. His strength pours over us. It’s awesome how God can use ANYONE for His purpose, just like the bloodline of Jesus.
I wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for the Fall Tag on my second blog.. Congrats!!
https://peekingfrombeneaththerock.wordpress.com/2017/10/11/the-fall-tag/
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Amen! So grateful for His daily grace.
And thank you soo much, dear T.R.!! Will check out the Fall tag! Hugs. ❤️
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Amen-Amein Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Thanks so much!! God Bless You Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Family and Friends!! ❤
PRAISE Our ONE TRUE GOD the FATHER, HIS SON Jesus-Yeshua Christ and the HOLY GHOST ( HOLY SPIRIT ) they’re All THREE in ONE!!
Praise Christ Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday, HE is KING of kings and LORD of lords, HE is the ALPHA and OMEGA, HE is the BEGINNING and the END!! Glory Glory Hallelujah and Maranatha!!
Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💜💕 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Jesus-Yeshua Christ for Today and Everyday Forevermore!!
I Love you all Everyone through Jesus-Yeshua Christ, because HE LOVED 💕💜 EVERYONE FIRST Forevermore!!
Love 💜Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
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God bless you greatly, Kristi!
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