Today's guest author is Connie Tom. This article has been edited and published with permission of the author.
I've often wondered how my artwork might bring glory to God. Even though this thought has been foremost in my mind, and the desire of my heart, often at the same time, I thought that art is something that people don't really need to have – something frivolous. However, I did pray a long time ago that God would somehow use my art for his glory.
His answer became evident to me while I was exhibiting with the Silver Dollar City Traveling Art Guild at a mall in Oklahoma City. On the third day of a four day show, a couple -- I'm guessing in their late 50's to early 60's -- seemed intrigued with a painting I'd done of an eagle in flight. The wife did all the talking, complimenting that piece over and over. The situation seemed slightly comical to me because while the wife raved on and on, her husband hadn't said a word. What seemed even stranger was that all the while, she was saying that they should purchase the painting for her husband, who was standing by in silence. I was thinking inwardly that she was the one who wanted the painting, not him.
They left my booth but returned several times; finally she asked me how much I was asking for the painting. When I told her the price, she replied, “We just can't afford to pay that much”. Well, they seemed like such a sweet couple... so when I lowered my price to almost half the original, they bought the painting.
They requested to leave the painting with me while they did some other shopping, so I marked it as sold. Seems like they returned only 5 minutes later, and it turns out they'd walked to a nearby Christian book store and purchased a walnut plaque with a brass plate. They were so eager to show me the plaque, saying, "Look! This is what your painting reminds us of. We are going to hang this plaque beside your painting.” Etched on the plate was a verse from Isaiah 40:31:
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall rise up with wings as an eagle. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
I was immediately reminded of my former prayer that God would use my art for his glory, and I realized with delight that art is not as frivolous as I had previously thought. The wife reiterated that they were buying the painting for her husband, although the husband still had not said a word. Again, I thought to myself, “You're buying this for yourself,” (meaning the wife). At any rate I was glad they liked the painting. As they walked away, I noticed how close they seemed.
Four days after the show ended, I received a phone call from the wife. She shared with me their reason for having bought the painting – saying, “You know Connie, I just wanted to tell you how much we appreciate our eagle painting. We've called our kids in, we've called our neighbors in, we've called our friends in to see the painting. You see, I have Leukemia, and the doctors have told me that I have less than two years to live. It's been very hard on my both my husband and me, financially, and emotionally, knowing we're going to be separated. So I bought this painting for my husband,
to give him strength, for when I'm gone.” As she spoke, I felt like the blood was draining right out of me. I didn't know what to say. All I could muster out was, "I'm sorry, I'm so glad you like the painting.”
I decided right then, never again to think that even a painting could not be used for God's purposes. I also learned not to guess what my buyers motives are, realizing that paintings can have a powerful effect on each individual. I pray that my future paintings will have a positive influence on folks, just as this one did. Now I know that the desire of my heart is also my destiny.
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