Note Entry: Hemmed In

My friend Regina lived a difficult life through the war and German work camp, carrying the memories and rebuilding with such difficulty even here in the US while holding on to the Lord and flooding those memories with God's faithfulness. 

She always told me to be encouraged and not discouraged, looking at all God has done and is for me! Regina, in her old age of 92 often said to me she was "good for nothing" to which I replied she was good for me.

In her later years, Regina particularly counseled me through her interest in my painting. She was an artist herself and mastered her own craft as a seamstress. I was given some of the fabric she wove of which I placed in my still life of "Hemmed In." She helped me find my way as my studio work had developed to actually reign back my endeavors for my studio to simply paint as life as a wife and mom ebbs and flows.

I brought my work periodically to her home as she was a shut-in for some time. She would even critique my work and had a strong eye for areas to improvements which I had ended up making for the final pieces. She taught me how to receive with open hands good gifts from the Lord and keep my hands open as I stay on in the direction of my calling as a stay-at-home wife and momma.

She and my young son were a whoot. E would get her into a dinosaur story and she’d gleefully play along! I’d sit at her feet for sometimes hours losing track of time and E would be content(we worked on it so we could go together.)

It was an incredible blessing and privilege to have her in our life. I regret not getting to say goodbye, but in our case she is finally satisfied as we would often speak of life’s uncertainty and our solid hope of God’s hand seeing us faithfully through to the end.

"Hemmed In"

16" x 24"

Oil on Board