HOME | DD

Description
Self-Portrait
21.5X27” Graphite pencil on paper

Generally when an artist makes a self-portrait, they are saying to the world “this is who I am.” However I am not just an arranged bone structure with skin and neither are you. It is sad to say that in this day and age only a blind person can understand this. Our real being Is contained within our hearts that many experience but few actually see.

I have learned though that people are more than just part of a category or classification. If they were, it would be easier to put them in a box and judge them. This is not our purpose here. People are uniquely and wonderfully made in God’s image. There has never been a person like you. The value of one of a kind is invaluable. If that goes for things, how much more so if it is for a person!

Relationships with others come and go, to and fro throughout the earth, but our own self-worth should not be measured by these. If we learn to see and value ourselves just like our Heavenly Father who created us, we find our voice and inner peace. When we realize our own worth, God gives us the grace to value and treat others just the same.

Relationships are a gift and not an entitlement. Life itself is a gift and if a person is breathing they are blessed. Relationships are necessary just as breathing is necessary, but both are gifts and not an entitlement. If there is a void there is an opportunity to grow our faith. Luke 6:45 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Much of what a person says reflects on how they feel about themselves. In that respect and my quest to find true identity, I aim to speak words of intent and love, to uplift and encourage in order to bring change for the good of the people I am with.

Of what use can criticism do for a person you care about? It stops love, the bonding agent in relationships and perfector of imperfections. Of what dignity is there to be had in blame? Only more irresponsibility to be gained. A generous person is not one that has the most but sacrifices the most. This is a key that is sour to use but has a sweet produce. In times of trial and difficulty, we cling tightly to what we hold dear. We know that the honorable person will sacrifice things first before their relationships they hold the closest. Many times the honorable live the shortest time. Even though many may die without much to entrust, they finish well because of the love they spread throughout their lifetime. The biggest regret at the end of a person's life is how much they wished they loved when it was difficult to and how they valued their relationships. It is easy to forget this before that time comes.

Many times I have more questions than answers. I am far from what would be considered perfect or the ideal man in the world's eyes. I am okay with that! If my goal in life was to be accepted by everyone, I would be as a leaf in a tornado being tossed every which way. I have never met a happy people pleaser. The opinions of others are just that, their opinion. It does not define or shape you unless your concern for it does.

There is no effort in loving those who love us, but it takes a very strong person to be kind to those who who are harsh towards us. A loving person is a strong person. A tree is known by it's fruit. A loving and understanding heart pleads for the benefit of their accusers. It takes years and experience to find out what true love is. I hope to have a better understanding of it as the years go on.

Live life and don’t let it live you. Relationships may be for a lifetime or for a short time, but purpose reigns supreme. No person can give or get purpose from one another, only God gives this virtue to us.

In conclusion, voicing who I am really isn’t a matter of describing how I was brought up, what kind of clothes I wear, what kind of job I have, or even what my strengths and weaknesses are. My identity is found in Jesus Christ, because what greater example of love is there to follow? John 15:13 “No one can have greater love than to give his life for his friends.” And another reason why, is that he is our key to eternal life in heaven. Not only what an amazing example he was, but what an incredible gift he has provided! It inspires me to be faithful with what God has entrusted me with and how I plan to love those around me. Love is the perfector of faith, healer of relationships, and the most powerful possession we have been given from God.

Description
Self-Portrait
21.5X27” Graphite pencil on paper

Generally when an artist makes a self-portrait, they are saying to the world “this is who I am.” However I am not just an arranged bone structure with skin and neither are you. It is sad to say that in this day and age only a blind person can understand this. Our real being Is contained within our hearts that many experience but few actually see.

I have learned though that people are more than just part of a category or classification. If they were, it would be easier to put them in a box and judge them. This is not our purpose here. People are uniquely and wonderfully made in God’s image. There has never been a person like you. The value of one of a kind is invaluable. If that goes for things, how much more so if it is for a person!

Relationships with others come and go, to and fro throughout the earth, but our own self-worth should not be measured by these. If we learn to see and value ourselves just like our Heavenly Father who created us, we find our voice and inner peace. When we realize our own worth, God gives us the grace to value and treat others just the same.

Relationships are a gift and not an entitlement. Life itself is a gift and if a person is breathing they are blessed. Relationships are necessary just as breathing is necessary, but both are gifts and not an entitlement. If there is a void there is an opportunity to grow our faith. Luke 6:45 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Much of what a person says reflects on how they feel about themselves. In that respect and my quest to find true identity, I aim to speak words of intent and love, to uplift and encourage in order to bring change for the good of the people I am with.

Of what use can criticism do for a person you care about? It stops love, the bonding agent in relationships and perfector of imperfections. Of what dignity is there to be had in blame? Only more irresponsibility to be gained. A generous person is not one that has the most but sacrifices the most. This is a key that is sour to use but has a sweet produce. In times of trial and difficulty, we cling tightly to what we hold dear. We know that the honorable person will sacrifice things first before their relationships they hold the closest. Many times the honorable live the shortest time. Even though many may die without much to entrust, they finish well because of the love they spread throughout their lifetime. The biggest regret at the end of a person's life is how much they wished they loved when it was difficult to and how they valued their relationships. It is easy to forget this before that time comes.

Many times I have more questions than answers. I am far from what would be considered perfect or the ideal man in the world's eyes. I am okay with that! If my goal in life was to be accepted by everyone, I would be as a leaf in a tornado being tossed every which way. I have never met a happy people pleaser. The opinions of others are just that, their opinion. It does not define or shape you unless your concern for it does.

There is no effort in loving those who love us, but it takes a very strong person to be kind to those who who are harsh towards us. A loving person is a strong person. A tree is known by it's fruit. A loving and understanding heart pleads for the benefit of their accusers. It takes years and experience to find out what true love is. I hope to have a better understanding of it as the years go on.

Live life and don’t let it live you. Relationships may be for a lifetime or for a short time, but purpose reigns supreme. No person can give or get purpose from one another, only God gives this virtue to us.

In conclusion, voicing who I am really isn’t a matter of describing how I was brought up, what kind of clothes I wear, what kind of job I have, or even what my strengths and weaknesses are. My identity is found in Jesus Christ, because what greater example of love is there to follow? John 15:13 “No one can have greater love than to give his life for his friends.” And another reason why, is that he is our key to eternal life in heaven. Not only what an amazing example he was, but what an incredible gift he has provided! It inspires me to be faithful with what God has entrusted me with and how I plan to love those around me. Love is the perfector of faith, healer of relationships, and the most powerful possession we have been given from God.