Last night my husband and I were watching a bit of the painter, Bob Ross. He had this absolutely beautiful painting that he was working on. All of the sudden he had started using black paint and spotting it on his beautiful canvas. I thought to myself; where is he going with this? For the process seemingly was taking away this beauty that he had created. Though I sat back, and instead I chose to just watch. Hoping that somehow, despite how the process was looking; it would come together beautifully. After some time, I could start to see what he was doing. What was seemingly messy at the time and out of place; is what ultimately gave his painting more depth and beauty. I did not quite know what Bob Ross was painting. Although, he was in control of his brush the whole time. The painting, was indeed beautiful.

   I think life can seem like this at times. Everything seems to be going well and great and then some darkness gets thrown over us. We fall into a bit of dismay; we wonder, where is God going with this? Why, is He allowing these things to happen? Sometimes all we can do, is sit back and pray. Trusting God through it all, trusting Him through the process. Then, some time goes by and though we may not always have the answers and though at times it may still hurt; we can see the depths of God’s love. We can find beauty in our faith, through our trials; because, of the beautiful painter that so lovingly has control. For He has the most beautiful plans for us, in our canvas of life.

  Sometimes, we need to just go to God in prayer and wait. Trusting in the waiting, that it will come together in the end. There are times in our lives that seem less than beautiful. They may be hard, stressful, difficult, sad, whatever negative it may be; God is working it all out for our good. Even when the process seems messy and we are wondering, where are you going with this God? Though God allows things to happen, He promises that joy will come. The depths of His love can always be seen; if we remember that He is with us through it all. Life can be beautiful, even though we go through messy times.

 Sometimes in the process through life we do not always understand and it is not always beautiful at all times. But all things will be made beautiful, in God’s time. Friend, if you are in the part of your life that is hard; hang in there. God is not finished.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.