...how much heartache and pain I've been through in my short life.
People see me and have no idea. And when I try and tell them, they either ignore it, play it down or can’t understand because it was all so bizarre. Many think I’ve had things easy, when it’s the complete opposite. Oh, the stories I could tell you…I’ve been abused, bullied, molested, cheated on, abandoned…people have even tried to place spells on me (yes, I’m serious). On top of that, I’ve had a lot of health scares, especially lately; down to my mobility.
Still, because of God, I’m still here! I should have been long gone and dead; and I would have been if it weren’t for God’s righteous right hand and love for me. As it says in Psalm 23:4:
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
God has walked with me every step of the way, and I am more grateful than words can say. When I cried my heart away, He collected every single one of my tears. He made me feel precious:
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” -Psalm 56:8
During the most trying time of my life (lasting years), He was there, holding my hand. He never let me down or left me, even in my confusion, pain, and frustration. When I was all alone, He protected me; provided for me. He still is and will always.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” -Psalm 34:18
I know there is light (and a rainbow) at the end of this dark, challenging tunnel. I’ve repeated this verse so many times, but I wholeheartedly believe it:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
I believe everything God says, because He never fails. He wins! And I know that He loves me so much. He has shown me in every single day that He’s given me life.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” -1 John 4:10
When I open my eyes in the morning, I think about Him first thing. I love Him. I can say that forever and ever. That’s why I write everyday here and why I read the Bible on YouTube, even with such a small amount of subscribers.
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” -Psalm 150:6
Because this Human Abstract Gallery is about my relationship with Him, and doing this is only bringing me closer to Him—and hopefully, it is doing something of that nature for you too.
I like to think of all of this as a very long love letter to The One who saved me and stuck around with sincere interest.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16
And now I can share that miracle with you. So, I thank you for sticking around this long. And I pray that this website and YouTube channel blesses you greatly.
I went to a small gallery a few weeks ago when I encountered this brilliant piece of work. This painting immediately became an image melded into my memory for the remainder of my time here on earth. It’s called, “Alone on your way” by artist, Ahmed Kadi. I want to include his contact information if you’re interested in his artwork:
ahmadkadi10@gmail.com
Website: http://www.kadisart.com
If I could afford the $3000, I would have purchased it because I saw myself in this painting. His was inspired by the war in Syria, but the message resonates with my own personal story. I felt like a survivor of a war on a personal, spiritual, emotional (and physical) level. It depicts exactly what I’ve been through, especially over the past few years. I went through the furnace physically alone. But God went through it with me. He covered me, just as He said He would:
Isaiah 43:1-21:
- But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine. - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. - For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you. - Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life. - Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you. - I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth, - everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.” - Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes,
who are deaf, yet have ears! - All the nations gather together,
and the peoples assemble.
Who among them can declare this,
and show us the former things?
Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right,
and let them hear and say, “It is true.” - “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor shall there be any after me. - I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior. - I declared and saved and proclaimed,
when there was no strange god among you;
and you are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and I am God. - Also henceforth I am he;
there is no one who can deliver from my hand;
I work, and who can turn it back?” - Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sake I send to Babylon
and bring them all down as fugitives,
the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they rejoice. - I am the Lord, your Holy One,
the Creator of Israel, your King.” - Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters, - who brings forth chariot and horse,
army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: - “Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old. - Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert. - The wild beasts will honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people, - the people whom I formed for myself
that they might declare my praise.
I pray I didn’t overwhelm you with that excerpt from the Book of Isaiah. It’s one of my favorite chapters of the Bible, along with Psalms 139.
Thanks for reading.
I pray many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many blessings over you!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxxxoooo <3
Rosalyn Rose