I have good news to share with you. I am now selling my art. I am in the process of uploading my work to various shops online. There is a widget at the top of this website where you can buy my art. If you like this piece, you can purchase it here on various objects, including prints: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/component-of-innocence-stacey-guenther.html
I haven't read much of the Bible, and I don't even know what is going on in the rest of the chapter or book of John because I haven't read it. I only know that this particular verse brings me comfort. It comes at a time when my depression has been more severe than usual. I needed to hear these words. It seems as if the world is falling apart. People everywhere are dying from catastrophes and malicious killers. Sometimes I feel like the world is coming to an end. It feels like everyone hates each other. The country is divided, and the world is at war. Plus, diseases are going around. It's a very scary time to be alive.
It occurred to me recently that these things are getting my attention and making me NEED God more. I never really paid attention to Him, except when I was younger for a brief time. I haven't prayed very much in my life. I haven't asked God for help. It was as if He didn't even exist to me. In fact, for a while, I was an atheist. I turned my back on God when I saw how many other Christians behaved. I'm talking about the ones who pretend to love Jesus but don't care about others. They just don't follow in Jesus's footsteps. I turned away from God when it all became too much to witness.
Recently, I talked with God, and He's shown me that I can still be a Christian without paying attention to the bad behavior of the pretenders. Their behavior is between God and them. We all face Him in the end.
I promised God that I won't ignore Him anymore and that I will work on my relationship with Him. I will talk with Him often. I will ask for help when I need it. I will thank Him more often. After all, He's looked out for me all these years, and I've not thanked Him enough. He gave me a good man for a husband.
So, if you want to call God my "Invisible Friend," go right ahead.
He still seems scary, and I am working on that feeling. I know God is good, kind, and loving. He wants to be loved in return. He wouldn't have created us if He didn't.
Thank you, God. I love You.
Photo by Dynamic Wang on Unsplash
When I was a child, my mother and father would take my younger sister and me to see fireworks for the Fourth of July celebrations. I was not too fond of the loud noises because they startled me. So, I would always cover my ears with my hands to avoid the terrible sounds. The pyrotechnics were pleasant to observe visually, nevertheless.These days, as an adult, I avoid fireworks whenever I can. To this day, when an unexpected bang is heard in the house as neighbors light fireworks, I jump in my seat. But, I still try to shield my ears. I'm just like the many pets that feel anxiety because of fireworks.
Luckily, I live in a condo, and the homeowners' association has banned fireworks in the neighborhood. However, in surrounding blocks, some people light them, so I am not free from them entirely. The good news is that our two kitties do not seem to be bothered by them.
Fireworks are unavoidable. They happen every year and sometimes without warning. Occasionally, randomly they will occur throughout the year as people use their leftovers. It never fails that I get startled, especially when the fireworks are unexpected. I would be better off without fireworks, and I'm sure many furry or feathered creatures would agree with me.
© Stacey Guenther July 2, 2022
