Inspired Brushstrokes-Sharing Faith

People often ask,
“What inspired the artist to share her faith in her paintings?”

Questions like this are asked quit often, but I can’t even take credit for the thought of using my art as a ministry. It was no doubt, a God Thing! Though I shouldn’t be surprised of what God can and WILL do, or that He really does answer prayers, this story is so overwhelming it’s hard to put it into words.

In 1994 I was asked by an organization in Memphis to paint a scene that could be used for their Christmas Card Fundraising Project. The Christmas Cards were sold to regular clients (individuals and companies) each year to provide Christmas gifts for underprivileged children.

The organization loved the idea of a fireplace and Christmas tree in this scene, but had no idea that it would actually have a message. Titled “What Christmas Means to Me”, this scene drove home the message that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I took a photograph of our Family Room Fireplace for a prop and set up my drafting table and watercolors in our Playroom to be near my daughter while painting.

My mother had taken her home in Heaven the day after my birthday. This time in October was very difficult even though I had peace that she was in a better place. The Angel on the top of the tree was a loving memory purchase from the money she had given me for my birthday. It was intentionally chosen to be a reminder that she is now with God.

I put my heart and soul into this project and prayed for God’s direction. I painted the Nativity Scene on the mantel, and on the bellows I painted a snow-scene, “The Footprints of Jesus” that led to a little country church on the horizon.

As I’d worked nearly to the bottom of the painting, I asked Kristi, “What could I hide in the fireplace for the receiver of these cards to have something fun to look for?” Before she even had a chance to speak, I said, “What better than Jesus, that’s why we celebrate Christmas!” So I painted the black mortar around the stones to spell out the name of JESUS. Kristi would often paint something in my work just to be a part of it, so she painted a heart shaped stone that created a message – Jesus Loves Us.

When the organization met me to take the painting to their publishers, the Holy Spirit made me aware that it was not quite what they were expecting. Not that they didn’t like or appreciate it, or even believe that Jesus is the Reason for the Season, they called within the next few days to see if I would be willing to paint something different. As hard as it was for them to make that call, they felt that many of their supporters (Jewish and non-believers) would not buy the cards if they had a Christian message. They felt it would cause their funds to be short of what they were anticipating to do for the children that year.

I have to admit, it took my breath and my heart was broken, but I had to do what God wanted. I prayed for discernment about what to do and God showed me that He truly uses everything for good. The positive thing was if this had not happened, I wouldn’t have my own Christmas Card. He also made it clear that it pleased Him to help these children by painting a different scene which turned out to be “City Sidewalks” at Court Square with the Gazebo. God’s love and creation was still all over it.

A Sales Rep called me after “What Christmas Means to Me” went to print to ask, “Is Jesus’ name really in your fireplace the way you painted it?” Mary knew that I’d used a photograph of our fireplace, but she couldn’t remember if Jesus’ name was really there. Standing in front of our fireplace explaining to Mary on the telephone how it all came together, at that very moment I realized that JESUS’ name was actually there all along! God revealed to me at that very moment that it was even in the hearth of my fireplace where I had painted it. With tears streaming down my face, the Holy Spirit covered me with “God-bumps”. I cried out to Mary, “You are not going to believe what I am seeing! Even though it is not as visible as I painted it, Jesus’ name IS in my fireplace along with the heart-shaped stone that Kristi painted!”

I’ve learned that every time I experience brokenness, God always works together a remarkable thing! Had this miracle not happened, I would not have thought to share my faith as deeply as I do. I wasn’t born to be a People Pleaser. I was born to please God. He opened the door to take this Leap of Faith and use my art as a vehicle to deliver HIS messages.

It’s by His grace and not of my doing that this Art-Ministry was ever birthed. What has been unintentional for me when placing colors on my paper or canvas, is every bit intentional for God. Even though there were times in my life when I was told and believed that I was a mistake, God showed me that he doesn’t make mistakes and there are no coincidences. On this day He left a mark in time that He is still in the miracle business!

I encourage you to look for God in every experience you have, whether it be an exciting time or a difficult time. Jesus is always with you, calling, “Come on, my beloved child. As we live and breath and as we come and go, we must be about our Father’s business. He has great and marvelous things just waiting for us to do!”

Are you ready to do GREAT THINGS FOR GOD? He will use you to touch people’s hearts and change their lives for Eternity. What God can do through one, He can and WILL do through any Surrendered Instrument of God! Just be a willing vessel and watch for the Spiritual Markers in your life.

Joyce Girgenti, Artist

ART BY CATEGORY

TWO NEW RELEASES