The end of something can also be the start of something new and wonderful. When we see the sun set on our dreams, or when our world falls apart, it is hard to find hope, but sometimes our old ways of doing things, our old paradigms need to be put away for new things to arrive for us. We need a new way of seeing. In these paintings the sun is setting, but a new butterfly is emerging and flying up into the sky. Through it’s wings we see a new way of looking at the world, we see that it’s body is merely a frame, a window through which we see a new day. A blue sky shines through it’s window wings. It is as if we are seeing the same sky, but in a new light!
I think about death like this. When my daughter died my aunt gave me a stain glass butterfly lamp for my bedside. She said that she imagined my newborn daughter emerging and then flying up to the sky like a little butterfly. She left the chrysalis of her little body behind, and flew into a sunset sky to meet her creator. In fact, I think of our Gwen each time I see an amazing sunset because the night she was “born” we drove to the hospital as a fabulous sunset filled the sky. I realized later that her spirit was probably making her flight to heaven from my womb at that very moment. I can still see that sunset, all full of pinks and purples, and golden clouds. What a magnificent beautiful welcome she got from heaven that day.
I am beginning to see this world-wide corona event like this, as a perspective shift. Our world will never see things again after this has past; I am hoping we will see things in a better light. I hope that we will appreciate each other more, protect the vulnerable among us better, slow down and enjoy our family time more. After this is past our priorities and values will be re-arranged. We will see that maybe we need teachers more than baseball players (maybe we could pay them like we pay MLB baseball players!) We forget how utterly dependant we are on farmers and truckers, and the internet, and the post office! I know I am so much more thankful for those in the community who create activities and creative ways for us to connect.
Many of you have lost jobs in this crisis, or have had careers put on hold. You might not even know how you are going to pay bills or make a living after this. Before this started I thought I was going to get my art in a gallery, and sell my work in town and teach classes. All that is on hold now, it might not happen at all. Admittedly at first I mourned it like the death of a dream. I mean, I don't even have time to paint anymore now that the kids are home! I have been staying up past midnight to paint after they have gone to bed! But then I shifted my lens. God wants me to do art for Him, to inspire people, to communicate His visions regardless of the outcome. I can do that right here on my blog! So I am distilling these dreams into their purest form. I want my art to be a conduit of HOPE. May God get the glory in all of my work, whether anyone else sees it or not!
In what ways could the ending of one thing in your life be a spark that starts something new for you? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!
-Deborah King