Enjoying the Stroke, Stroke, Stroke

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“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” as the old saying goes. Sometimes, though, we wish it could be. Well, maybe not Rome, but we do want things we’d like to accomplish to happen much faster than they do. Sometimes we wish the washer or dryer or dishwasher went faster. Sometimes we wish that our child would learn a skill or a character trait faster. Sometimes we wish we weren’t so slow in learning to trust God.

Things went so well three weeks ago in my painting class that I thought I might finish my painting during the second class. At the end of that class, I was surprised still to have so far to go.

When I went into class this past Wednesday, I had no expectations of finishing. I sat at my desk. I tried various combinations of white, yellow, orange, and gold. Again and again, my hand guided my brush: stroke, stroke, stroke.

I wasn’t so fond of what I saw on my canvas. Miss Judy encouraged me:

“Blend your edges.”

“Don’t be afraid to use some orange.” (I was afraid to use orange.)

“It’s looking good.”

Soon I was liking what I saw, too. I kept trying: stroke, stroke, stroke. By the end of class, to my surprise, I was finished. I liked it — even the orange. Miss Judy liked it.

I snapped this picture, . . .

. . . said my adieu, and placed my canvas gently in the passenger seat of the car — all done.

Wednesday’s success makes me even more excited about that blank canvas lying on the back seat of our car, ready for next week’s class. Looking back, I am remembering the pleasure of those strokes. There is joy in a finished project and there is joy in the stroke after stroke — or whatever other action is needed — while we head toward each individual finish line.

There is joy in crossing the finish line and joy in the journey. I encourage you not to let your worries keep you from enjoying the joy in the journey. The “journey” is actually the life we live every day. What a precious gift from God that is.

I press on toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14

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