The inspiration for this painting comes from a photo I took one sunny summer evening as my husband and son and I were watching airplanes land at the airport. I had brought my camera along with me, hoping to capture the warmth of the sun’s light as it was hitting this field we had been fortunate enough to stumble upon a few years ago. This beautiful plot of grass, covered with wild yellow flowers at the time of our visit, is actually located in the center of an urban industrial park.
As I think about the idea of God preparing a place of rest for me, my mind goes back to the beauty of that small field in the city. Although it’s probably not exactly the size of acreage David had in his mind when writing the 23rd Psalm, it’s still a peaceful haven of green amidst the sterile concrete and nearby traffic of the noisy city.
I need to remind myself that as long as I am willing to let Him, God can restore my soul in the most unusual and unexpected ways. I can’t expect that my circumstances will always change, but if I keep my eyes and ears open to what He wants to show me, He will give me the rest I need to make it through the trial I’m going through at the time.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in
green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” — Psalm 23: 1-3
