“Broken promises are worse than rain clouds that don’t bring rain.” Proverbs 25:14 CEV
This painting, presently on my easel, came to my mind when I read these words from the Bible. The imagery of rain clouds just teasing dry land is understood in this environment. The painting seems to illustrate the verse.
I’ve been painting this scene from a photo I had taken of what will become our new back yard. The 29 acres are fifteen minutes from Waco TX, between Mart, Axtell, and Hallsburg…what I like to call “in the middle of nowhere.”
We bought this property because it is only six miles from our son and his family. While looking for about five acres, we ended up with twenty nine! But a lease to pasture cows came with it. We love having the open spaces, and the front yard has seven big oak trees!!
I was the first one who saw the promise of a house in the steel barn on the property. Maybe it was because I had binge-watched “Fixer Upper” in preparation for moving to Waco! Maybe it was because I am a creative person and can see how to make things out of leftovers. We bought this place with the idea that it would be pretty simple to expand the 720 square foot apartment into about 2000 square feet of living space under the metal roof. Things are never as simple as they seem.
6×8 Oil
My “can do anything” husband drew up some house plans. For over a month we have researched, contacted and met with contractors to obtain bids for the project. Steve is presently doing demolition on the existing structure to get it ready to build into our vision.
I know there is a promise of a house here. (There is light at the end of this barn!) But, it seems like it is taking too long to see it fulfilled. Yet, I am grateful for a comfortable place to stay in the meantime (30 minutes away), which has wonderful scenes to paint, and trying to be patient about not having “my stuff” that is all stored away.
How many times do we find ourselves in the middle of a journey, only to feel that things are taking too long, going too slow, coming to dead ends? And then, we remind ourselves that if we are on this journey with God, we have His promise that He will never leave us, or forsake us, or break promises.
“With all my heart, I am waiting, Lord, for you! I trust your promises.” Psalm 130: 5
There is so much for which to be grateful! But that will be another blog entry.