There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone is is the same God at work. ~1 Corinthians 12:4-6
In kindergarten, our oldest grandchild, Virginia, is introduced to the concept of making frames out of colored popsicle sticks. Her artwork may seem primitive at first glance, but I see promise. Her Papa and I still cherish it to this day, and it's proudly displayed on a small table beside my computer desk.
I surmise that, as much as she loves to draw and color, Virginia might just have a gift for art, one she can realize more fully as she grows and matures. The once five-year-old is just about to turn fifteen. No, I can't believe it, either! And my hunch about her artistic abilities has come to fruition in those ten short years.
Her mom, Sarah, sends us these photos of her most recent creations. I'd love to know what you think.
And Virginia's favorite character, Hugh Laurie, from Dr. House.
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When we chat this past week on FaceTime, I tell Virginia how marvelous it is to have been given such a talent by God, and that she should continue to develop it for His honor and glory. She gets it. This isn't about her prestige, her ability, and perhaps, her future notoriety. It's all about being thankful to the One who, in His gracious generosity, bestows unique gifts upon all His children.
I hope and pray that Virginia will always place her love for God above every other love in her life, and choose to be a servant leader in any and every endeavor she undertakes, whether it be in the field of art or in an occupation she can't even yet imagine.
And isn't that what we all should aim for in our lives? Because no matter what our achievements and accolades received in and by this world, they cannot hold a candle to the One who makes it all possible.
For all of us, no matter how different our gifts might be, we can rest assured that it is the same Lord and God at work in us.
Amen!
Thank you for sharing your family treasure with us dear. Such a pleasure to see a young artist flourish. May your faith always be rewarded richly
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see young people flourishing in whatever gift(s) they have, Cloudia, I agree. Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by today.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Those landscapes are wonderful. Vibrant colours. Praise the Lord for her talent.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all, Martha.
I love how Virginia uses colors, too, Victor. We are giving thanks to the Lord every day for the marvelous gift He's given her.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
One word says it all Martha: WOW! Just WOW! She has definitely been given a gift. I pray she will continue allowing God to develop it in her and He moves more within her.
ReplyDeleteThat's my prayer, too, Bill. And I'll second that WOW any day!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
That's my prayer, too, Bill. And I'll second that WOW any day!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
There is talent here!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Glynn, I think so, too. :)
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Martha - your granddaughter certainly developed her talents. What beautiful art. It makes my heart glad to see the younger generation pursue their God-given gifts. May God bless her. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm rejoicing in the same, Debbie. It's amazing to watch those God-given gifts at work, especially in your own grandchildren.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Great talent!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Diana. :)
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Virginia is indeed talented and I hope she continues to grow in love with Christ as she uses her gift of artistic expression for God’s glory.
ReplyDeleteThat is my hope and prayer, too, Debby. Thanks for enjoying her talent.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Indeed, Virginia has a God-given gift. I can't imagine any teacher or textbook prompting this sort of art, can you?
ReplyDeleteThe feline images are my favorite, but I love Hugh Laurie, too.
I agree, Myra, that this type of talent can't be taught; it can be honed and improved with guidance, but its source is God, indeed. Virginia has always loved cats, and it does show here.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Lovely art from Virginia!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Christine!
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Wonderful artwork, like the ones of the cat best
ReplyDeleteVirginia's love of her cat, Henry, truly shines through, Jo-Anne, I agree. Her first "framed" drawing was a tribute to him. Glad you enjoyed this post!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Virginia really has a wonderful talent in drawing which is something that so many of us wish we had. These are some wonderful treasures that we always remain as treasures. Thank you Martha for sharing her talents with us...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shug, for your encouraging words for Virginia. They will always be treasured by us. I will be sure that her mom shares all the positive comments shared here by friends like you. My hope and prayer is that she will realize God's will for her.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Oh yes, Virginia has a very special gift of art. Those are all very good, even the very first one from kindergarten! I love the ones with the cat, since I now have an orange cat and he seems to be very "photogenic". So she has chosen a good subject. Her landscapes are excellent too, but that drawing of Hugh Laurie is very very good! She definiteyl has talent, and I pray she will continue using her gift from the Lord for His honor and glory. I used to draw a lot when I was young and showed promise, but I didn't continue in it and now I've lost the touch. So I highly recommend that she continue using her gift as much and as often as possible. God will find an outlet for it that is honorable and good. Thank you for sharing these with us. Really really special!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Pamela, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words here today. Like you, I loved drawing as a young one and actually thought that I might develop into an artist like my Aunt Mary Jane, my dad's sister, but it turned out that words and writing were my strong suit. Coincidentally, Virginia's parents have adopted cat, Riley, who is orange like Sunshine, and Rocky, who is black with white accents like your Blackie. For me, it's the portrait of Hugh Laurie that embodies her gift for accuracy and subtle shading. It's so difficult to reproduce a human face where one can recognize the person depicted. I will make sure Virginia sees your wonderful comment here to encourage her to keep using her God-given gifts for His glory.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Oh, my goodness Martha, how old is she? She is fantastic - fabulous - amazing. I am happy you shared these with us. I love the cats and Huge Laurie. She is very talented and I too hope she will use it in the glory of God.
ReplyDeleteVirginia will be 15 in July, Sandie. She is precocious in her gifts for creating artistic gems, that's for sure, and even though her mom and dad have abilities in that area, and have coached her at times, the love of art has spurred her on. She has always loved cats, and I'm always amazed at how she can get them so anatomically correct for one so young.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Your dear Virginia is a talented young artist!! Of course, I love the cats!! Keep us posted as she grows and developes her considerable talent!! xo
ReplyDeleteI will certainly keep you all posted, Terri, whenever I can. Yes, Virginia is definitely a fellow cat lover as their first cat, Henry, was declared to be her best friend. No wonder her ability to reproduce felines is exceptional. Thanks for your kind words here, my friend!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Amazing talent.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
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Dear Martha, all those precious primitive gifts of art from our grandchildren become more and more meaninigful and priceless as they morph into adulthood. So many memories crafted by little hands so long ago. These are our priceless posessions, aren't they!
ReplyDeleteThey absolutely are both precious and priceless, Linda. These are the little things that hold so many wondrous memories of our grandchildren's formative years.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I''m not an art critic by any stretch of the imagination, Martha, but recognizing talent like hers doesn't require that. Thank you for the soul nourishing reminder of God's ongoing handiwork in each of us. It's refreshing to see His hand in Virginia's development both artistically and spiritually, and I'm sure you and Danny love the repeated praise and worship sessions that watching God display His love and grace in her provide. One of the things I endeavor to pass along to our grandchildren is the simple reminder that the enemy always targets those special gifts God implanted in them. The devil goes after those things that most clearly display His likeness in us. So, may the Spirit of God build a fortress around every gift He bestowed on your beautiful granddaughter and may she continue to fill the lives of those around her with the kind of joy you transmitted in your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ron, for your encouraging words for Virginia that I'm certain will cheer her on in developing her gifts for God's glory. Thanks, too, for sharing the perspective you've given to your own grandchildren about how the enemy will try as hard as possible to discredit those talents God has given us and create doubt and uncertainty within us. Great advice! May we all put on the full armor of God.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Yup, she has talent! I really like the first one best with the popsicle stick frame... so cute and it does show a lot of promise for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annie. I'm glad you could see the potential in her popsicle stick drawing just as I did so long ago. I'm so thankful to God for the gift He's given her.
DeleteGrace and blessings!