Monday, June 25, 2018

 

 

Devotional for Monday, June 25, 2018
“When Hurdles and Hindrances Bring Growth”
 
by Dona Hake
 
A few years ago I was blessed to be able to take painting lessons from an extremely talented woman. Her paintings amazed me, and I would sit in awe as she would  skillfully paint in front of us our class for teaching and illustrative purposes.  I can remember the times that she would show a different painting technique and she would sense my frustration as I was trying and not doing well.   She would come and stand behind me and embrace my hand showing me how to angle my brush, etc.   I loved this experience of learning  especially the art of learning to work through struggles when I felt I was not grasping the different techniques she was teaching. 
 
I can remember once I had almost completed a painting and I was so pleased with it but then I made a big mistake.  Well…in my eyes it was a big mistake, but in the teacher’s eyes it was an opportunity.  She would always encourage us that those so called “mistakes” were  opportunities to create.  She would tell us to have fun with it and see what comes of it.  I was amazed that many of my paintings had my “mistakes” hidden under what only the eye could see.   It was only me that knew that there was originally a mistake but it was turned around as a result of reaching into those creative abilities that God had helped me to learn.
 

This teacher’s teaching techniques taught me  a life lesson.  Many times we may be tempted to  trash whatever we are trying to do because of a mistake.  Sometimes we may quit because it is not perfect enough.   We need to see hindrances, hurdles, or mistakes as opportunities to excel and grow in new things.  It is in those times if we allow the Master Painter to work on the canvas of our heart that we may see some pretty amazing outcomes.  Along with those amazing outcomes we can walk away with knowledge and wisdom for future application in our life.  As we stay humble and willing, our Lord knows how to take our hurdles, hindrances, or mistakes, and help us to grow in that process.

Romans 8:28

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God “

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