Wednesday, July 14, 2010

seek and find

Seek and Find 11x14
Luke 11:9-10 (New International Version) 9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Quick story...
My kids just finished 4-H, a huge organization that fosters leadership skill and training in everything from animal care to Lego's. It's such an amazing club and the kids wanted to do DOG OBEDIENCE, with it being Lauren's second year and Cooper's 1 year.
Lauren chose to work with Bob, our 11yr.old blind poodle. Coop chose to work with Krissy our 6 yr old Pomeranian. I say 'chose', but the better wording would be 'stuck with' because ideally you would never chose a blind old man and a stubborn, prissy pom! But that's what we had to work with and at first the kids were very excited. Then the reality hit...4-H is hard work and even more of a challenge when working with 2 stubborn dogs.
As the big day approached, the kids started to get more discouraged and asked me many times if they could just give up, fearing they would be humiliated. Knowing they hadn't practiced and trained like they should have I told them no, we will finish this. This was simply one of those times I had to let them fail.
The day of the show we're driving over and Cooper is just miserable and I asked him what was wrong. "I'm just so mad because I know Krissy won't listen to me". I try and reassure him but could see he was nervous and frankly i could feel his pain. The kids go through their run with the dogs and judges and we wait for the big moment when they call the kids up for scores and ribbons. You could feel the tension throughout the whole arena.
Cooper's group gets called up first...
Awww, the relief that only a BLUE RIBBON could bring!
Lauren's next....
2 BLUE RIBBONS!!
On the way home the kids were thrilled and so proud of the dogs. Out of my son's mouth comes this little song of Luke 11:9-10. I don't know in which moment I was more happy, seeing them hold those ribbons or hearing my youngest quote scripture, giving the glory to God. What Cooper didn't know was that the night before I was up late reworking an old piece i just didn't like. I regessoed (is that a word?) over it and began to rework it.
This was the final result.
Isn't God the coolest?!

5 comments:

  1. that is a beautiful story, and what a great teaching experience...
    and how wonderful when we hear the word of god come from our kids hearts out their mouth!
    your canvas is beautiful jill, and so cool that it all ties together with what was happening with lauren and cooper(love their names)...

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  2. what a nice story~ I am sure they will appreciate that you wrote it down when they are older... and I love the colors in your piece too!

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  3. It's definitely awesome how God works. Beautiful piece and happy for your kids! :)

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  4. Thanks so much for the kind words and encouragement!

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