"WholeHeartedly"

by Shen

This new painting is entitled, WholeHeartedly; and, it is my journey and my song. My quest has been in letting go of other things that compete with God’s rightful place in my life. It has been wanting other people’s approval, things of all kinds, money, comparing myself to others and most frequently… my own plans, aargh! The problem is basically wanting what I want when I want it! This for me has been truly a journey of “letting go”. But, I find each time I let go of something I am holding on to with clenched fists, a wave of all encompassing emotion and freedom flood my mind, heart and soul. I must sit in the discomfort first- not wish it away, to truly accept this pain- and soon the feeling flees, never to be dealt with again in quite the same way.

This painting, “WholeHeartedly”, is about allowing those feelings to come. It’s about having the courage to be uncomfortable. I cannot let go alone without God to hold onto. I also cannot replace the things that have held me captive without the love of my friends and family who are on this journey with me. We all have those special people who just make life worth living. I just hope that I tell mine often enough how special they are to me.

The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.

With my whole heart,
Shen