My friend is a painter, and while telling me of a recent commission, we happened into a conversation about her process. As she began teaching me her steps, I reached for a pen and paper to record her every word. I was fascinated. I have an untrained eye and virtually no experience with the creative process of a painter. I do know it took Michael Angelo forever to paint the ceiling of the chapel! Please be impressed!
She showed me a picture of her canvas and began speaking of the “under painting.”
She explained how she would paint the basic images in terms of lights and darks. To me, it just looked like a sketch in a sepia filter. She went on to say that the painting would emerge out of these initial details. In my ignorance I asked, “So now you’ll add color?” She graciously pointed my attention to the fact that color already existed.
After a little more discourse regarding process, she explained how it’s easy to get lost at this phase and how giving up comes easily. As she spoke, I knew God was stirring in my heart to pay close attention to the words I was hearing.
“And we know in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, those called according to His purpose. {Romans 8:28, NIV}
You see, in the middle of some of my hardest seasons, I’ve looked at the canvas of my life and felt like maybe God had gotten lost, or even maybe skipped over me. That He indeed had good plans for many, but somehow I wasn’t included. I often hope to see a finished work, but get discouraged when it seems my canvas is just lights and darks; seemingly colorless.
I’ve experienced some hard things in a few arenas of my life recently.
I’ve walked with hurting children, wept at lives lost, and fought (white knuckled) for identity the enemy sought to destroy. I’ve raised my fists to heaven and begged God to intervene in supernatural ways. These “dark” or hard seasons are the first I want to dismiss, hide, or draw discouragement from. But God desires to use my experience to point to His work as the Creator. He uses the darks and lights to create a vivid image of Himself in and through the lives of those who call Him Lord.
With strokes of a wide and gracious Father, He gave me eyes to see His work through the experiences of my life.
For a vivid picture to emerge, lights and darks have to be painted. Lights and darks add tone value to the painting. Did you catch that? A painting has both. You see, easy things and hard things will form the picture He’s painting on the canvas of my life.
I’ve waited impatiently and imperfectly through this process, but in His goodness, He wanted me to understand the value of the “under painting.” Have you ever felt like your life was stalled out? If yes, lean in. He might want to speak to the barren place in your spirit. He may be inviting you to let Him use the light and dark portions of your experiences; the picture He’s painting in and through your life.
Trust the Artist, your Creator.
A complete picture is still in process.
He hasn’t given up on you.
He won’t. It’s not in his nature.
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Alyssa,
How true that the painting cannot be complete without the lights AND the darks. I have found, in my life, that if I hadn’t experienced the pain, the trials, the sorrows (the darks) then I would not have the heartfelt and deep appreciation for the joys, the triumphs, the rejoicing (the lights). The lights stand out more prominently when layered over the darks. In order to be complete in Him, our lives need to have both. I love the painting analogy and you post!
Blessings,
Bev
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
It’s funny how it makes the most sense when I’m looking back on seasons. Something fruitful always emerges! I love that the pictures becomes vivid with lights & darks! Thanks for your words, Bev!
Josie Barone says
Yes, this resonates with my season spot-on when our world was rocked with Hubby’s cancer. The dark places seem to have spilt onto the canvas, yet, through it all, leaning in, I have felt His Presence in ways I have not before, His Peace when I should have been overcome with anxiety, His Rest when weariness has overcome me. Love this!
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Such a difficult season, Josie. I love how your leaning in teaches those watching…including me!
Beth Williams says
Josie,
Prayers for you and your hubby. May God heal him and give him a great testimony. May He send strength and bless you with peace to endure. Praise God you can feel His presence and rest in His unfailing love.
Blessings 🙂
An says
Thank you, Alyssa, for this beautiful posting 🙂 Praise be to our Lord for He is so good in reminding us of His character. As I think about the post, I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 1:4 that says to comfort others as we have been, something that the trials in life equip us to better do. I am so thankful that Jesus wastes nothing from our loves, redeeming them with the color of His grace if we persevere. So needed this this morning 🙂 May the Lord color us joyful today with His love, mercy, and grace 🙂
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Such a good word, friend! Nothing is wasted–oh how that brings tears to my eyes. What grace!
John D says
Wow! Amazingly gifted you are at the craft of writing; on a subject near and dear to you, the Lord’s glory blooms in every word of your eloquent piece. May you continue to use your gift for the glory of His Kingdom! You were already a beautiful piece of art when He gifted you to me in 2005…but yet He continues to draw beauty upon you… Love, John
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Thank you for braving life with me & for showing up in this arena! His grace through you helps me endure dark seasons! ❤️
Cheri Tolliver Johnson says
“He uses the darks and lights to create a vivid image of Himself …” Love this!
Also, love that when it seems we’re stuck in the middle of blah – lacking definition – the Eternal Artist is still in the process. Trust Him.
Great thoughts!
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Thank you, Cheri!
Aline Cobb says
This is great and what I needed in this season of life! Thank you Alyssa, may God keep inspiring you to share with us :-).
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Aw. Thank you, Aline! He is the supplier of all our needs & I’m so glad!! ❤️
Catherine Morgan says
Yes! And I think sometimes that I could summon the courage to face the dark bits if only God would hurry up a little and get to the bright spots. It’s the waiting…
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Aw, yes…the waiting. You are so right! I’m trying to collect constant reminders of God’s provision to sustain me in the waiting!
Beth Williams says
Catherine,
Amen to the waiting! Waiting is so hard. It’s in the waiting that God teaches us patience.
Blessings 🙂
Leslie says
Wow, Alyssa! This another one of your beautiful works of art. Your way with words and the ability to create a picture and story amaze me. You are a true woman of God and I am beyond blessed to know you.
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Leslie-you are a great encourager! I am honored to know you! ❤️
Sheena Kendall Fouts says
Great perspective! Makes me wonder… What will the under-paintings of my life ultimately highlight as my life “theme”? How did I let Jesus work on getting those darks and lights just right so in the end it’s HIS masterpiece? Thank you, Alyssa for painting a beautiful word picture of the importance of both darkness and light on our life canvase.
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Great thought, Sheena. Your questions are thought provoking & I will carry them with me! Grateful for your input, insight & engagement!
Rebecca Jones says
In Him is no darkness, so His love and light overshadow it. Like a masterpiece in museum is illuminated with a light over it. And don’t forget He created day and night, and they were both good. While we think of the devil prowling at night or in the dark, things happen during the day as well. God has it all covered, and since night was a time of rest, so should our dark places cause us to settle into His rest.
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Yes, Rebecca. I love how you’ve weaved in the idea of rest. Such a significant piece of our believing in and allowing God to be the Artist. Thanks for sharing these thoughts!
Ms. Witi says
Thanks for this perspective on things…
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
❤️
Graham says
Thanks Alyssa for the posting! It was just what I needed this morning. I love the symbolism. God isn’t through painting my masterpiece. I love that. I’m the masterpiece. ..a mixture of the light & dark slated to produce a one-of-a-kind portrait.
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Yes…a one of a kind portrait!! We need to be ever reminding each other of this truth, so that we persevere in the valleys.
LuAnn Poteete says
Thank you for this, it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. I have had the worst 24 hours with my son. I have been praying for him for years and I was feeling so alone and as if God wasn’t hearing me call out to him in prayer, that I was doing something wrong for my prayers not to be heard. I needed these words to remind me that he hears me but maybe it’s my son he needs to hear and that he won’t give up on him. Thank you from a mom who is heart broken and needed this balm and word picture to pick me up and help me to keep on praying for him and waiting patiently for his timing!
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
You’ve given me the sweetest gift, LuAnn. You have shared a tender place with me and that is exactly what I prayed would happen with these words…that they would minister to our spirits and bring an extra measure of stamina. I would be honored to hold you & your son up in the waiting!
LuAnn Poteete says
Thank you so much, it’s amazing when you put yourself out there and are transparent what comes back to you! I was in such a place of loneliness but feel refreshed and renewed now! Thank you! And thank you for praying for me and Matt!
Christyn Russell Taylor says
Your best writing ever. I love the ‘picture’ this painted in my mind and will keep it with me in my middle…
Love you sweet friend,
Christyn
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
“In my middle”–love that phrase, Christyn!
Janet Spivey says
Alyssa, I love the way you paint with words! This is a beautiful post. Such a great reminder that there is a bigger picture and when our life is done we will see the beauty of the lights and darks blended together into the perfect painting God has planned all along.
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Yes, Janet…a perfect painting which the Artist had envisioned all along. Oh that I would cling tightly to this hope!
Shanel says
You are such a beautiful writer! Love your transparency. I could relate to just about every word you wrote! Thank you so much…I needed this today!
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Your words speak life & encouragement into the depth of my spirit! Thank you for stopping by to read!
Kristin Burford says
Thank you for these beautiful words!
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Thank you for journeying with me!
Melinda_Mattson says
Alyssa,
I love the imagery you painted here. Yes, your words are art too! Thank you for the lovely reminder that even the darkest under painting enhances our value. I will carry this in my heart. Beautifully done!
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Thank you, Melinda! I am honored to hear you say my words are art! I pray that prayer for myself…that God would use a girl like to me to point to Him, our great God and master Artist. Thank you for being here and supporting me!
Beth Williams says
Alyssa,
Yes every life needs lights and darks. The darks bring us closer to God and help us trust Him more. The lights are better and enjoyed more when positioned with the darks. This year has seen its share of darks, God has worked and turned those darks into lights. In the darks I sense the enemy hard at work to destroy everything. At that point I trust the artist and lean in hard.
Blessings 🙂
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
I agree with you about the dark seasons…the enemy is manipulative and cunning, but that always diminishes when brought into the light of God’s unfailing love. Trusting the Artist is my ultimate goal-each and every day. Thank you for you words in this space, Beth!
Rachel B says
“Lean in…”
The Lord spoke this phrase to my heart a couple of months ago, as I was blindsided by an event that rocked my world.
The rest of the phrase was “… And listen. Lean in…and listen.” What a comfort those words have been to my soul! Over these passing weeks & months, I have read these exact words in several blogs, and random places. Your art, in this written form, has blessed and spoken to my heart in another facet.
How precious is it, that truly nothing is wasted…He uses every process, and every “medium”, every spot on the canvases of our lives to create a masterpiece.
Thank you for sharing such a timely word for me…
May the Holy Spirit give us all vision to see what He’s creating, especially as we lean in & look more closely.
-Rachel
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Yes, Rachel. I want to have the vision to see the work in progress and be content with the timing. Leaning in is certainly something counter-intuitive, but so beneficial! I also appreciate the repeating theme…It’s hard to ignore the message when it keeps repeating. You’ve been an encouragement to me, friend!
Elizabeth Jones Sheraden says
What thought-filled words! I praise our Master Painter/Creator for His many styles of ‘works in progress!’ Thank you Alyssa for your inspiring thoughts!
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Thank you for showing up with words of encouragement, mom!!! Grateful for your on-going love, leading by example, and cheer-leading!
Lyli Dunbar says
Beautiful 🙂
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Thank you, Lyli!
Joanna @ Modern Ruth Project says
Thanks for the encouraging note! Sometimes it’s in the darkest places that we’re able to most see the light of God. Best wishes!
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Joanna-I agree that the light is brightest when it’s completely dark! Grateful for you taking the time to share here!
Denalyn says
Alyssa, this is beautiful and so encouraging! Thank you for drawing out the truth in my spirit & reminding me that His light shines in & through the darkness. “For darkness is as light to Him”. Love you. Keep writing, my friend! Jesus is in all of this!
Alyssa DeLosSantos says
Thanks, Denalyn. I treasure your words and on-going encouragement far more than you know! Love you…