The Story:

I asked God “Teach me you are my Father for my heart cannot seem to understand what my head knows

The title holds no weight in my world

There is more grief than comfort, more loss than gain in the name

yet my heart aches to know the Truth of the name you ask us to pray

“Our Father in heaven may your name be kept holy…” 

But how could such an intimate relation feel so empty?”

He said “Child, you ask to know me as Father yet you are not willing to position yourself in dependency

For in your growing you learned to show up for yourself in the places no came 

In your sorrow you found no comfort

In your cry to be heard your voice was silenced

In your desire to be seen you were overlooked

And in your places of need you stopped asking as shame marked your identity

Self sufficiency became your defense of protection as independence became your false source of provision

Because dependence invited disappointment

Yet child, this is not the way of the Father’s house.

Dependency makes way for miracles

Meekness prepares provision

Humility invites inheritance

Mourning is met with comfort

The pure in heart find revelation

For it is my delight to love you so fully

But to know me as Father, you must humble yourself in the position of a child

For how can you know my provision when you never come to me in need

How can you know my love when you’re unwilling to ask and receive?

How can a sheep be led to green pastures when trying to be the Shepherd?

How can a soul be refreshed when it refuses to take rest?

How can you be guided when you’re unwilling to follow?

How can you know the fullness of my riches when you pride yourself in self sufficiency

Child to know me as Father you must be willing to be weak and there you will discover the abundance of dependency where you lack nothing in me

Psalm 23: 1-3

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Materials:

Archival-quality 100% natural cotton canvas

Professional 1.5" gallery-wrapped canvas

Professional-grade acrylic paint

Professional soft oil pastels

Gloss protective varnish

Acid-free, gesso-primed surface