Friday, June 29, 2012

Journal Reflections


Her son went off on his own without asking permission.  And so they had to search for him.  When they finally found him, she and her husband asked him, "Why?"  Well, he had his own reasons for what he did and didn't seem to understand why they were so upset.  They didn't understand what he said to them.

Does this sound familiar?  If you are a parent, haven't there been times when you couldn't understand your children?  Haven't there been times when you've asked "Why?"  Even with our relationships with other people, haven't there been times when we haven't understood?  When we've asked "Why?"

I know there have been times like this for me.  But oh, to be able to follow her example when faced with times like this.  To be able to ponder and pray and control my tongue.  To be able to understand, by God's grace, to do as God leads and to treasure these things.  This is my prayer as I reflect on this bible verse...

"When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart."  Luke 2:42-51

I'm linking up to Paint Party FridayStudio Sneak Peek, Random Journal Day, Heartprint Hallelujahs, Just JournalsFaith-filled FridayArt Journal Every Day and Spiritual Sundays.

40 comments:

  1. This has been a very precious scripture to me...I usually paraphrase it...she pondered these things in her heart...it has become very precious as my children have entered adulthood.
    This is beautiful!

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  2. such lovely tonal work in your colours.... it brings it all alive...xx

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  3. A favorite story to share when I taught Sunday School to grade schoolers. I always hoped they would relate to the fact that their parents' become a bit anxious when they don't know where their children are.

    Love your art work for this one!

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  4. This is so beautiful and lovely. It radiates as much rest. Thanks for sharing.
    Lovely greet
    Marja
    (www.marjascreativity.blogspot.nl)

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  5. Loving your beautiful journal page and words. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  6. A beautiful illustration today.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Rinda

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  7. This was wonderful to read, just what I needed to see today. I've been there many times with my kids. The drawing is beautiful and peaceful. Thank you for sharing again, your journal is so inspiring.

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  8. I have always loved this Bible verse...your painting is beautiful...love your blog.

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  9. Wonderful (and timely for me) illustration and scripture. Thank you!

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  10. Ah yes, to have the grace that Mary had! We can certainly use her as an example and just strive to be better. A lovely piece as always ♥

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  11. beautiful!

    I love the way you made me think there... I know I would have been pretty angry after traveling and searching- not to mention frantic!

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  12. lovely painting! I am struggling to understand my teenager!

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  13. Hi Peggy,
    I'm just now getting around to WOYWW posts and found this one. I know a special someone that is having difficulties with children right now - so perhaps it was meant to be - my being late this week.

    Much love,
    Kay

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  14. Beautiful color choices and nice work. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from studio sneak peek.

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  15. I think that one of the hardest moments in parenting comes when you realize that your children are truly, completely separate from you and that you can never completely understand them--all you can do is love them...

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  16. Good words! I have often looked at Jesus' childhood and young adulthood, remembering He was without sin in order to rightly speak to our children...(coming from Studio JRU)

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  17. Love it Peggy; timeless message... and pondering His things should be first nature to us as it was for Him... thank you.

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  18. Your combination of sharing, scripture and artwork ministers to me. THanks for linking up.

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  19. Beautiful post. Love the message! Your paint is so beautiful and warm!!!

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  20. So lovely and divine ~~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)

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  21. your painting and post are such an inspiration! I'm a follower..i hope you'll follow me too!

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  22. Yes, Peggy, as a mother of three (now adult) sons, I can identify with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in this particular scripture. Our children often give us reasons to ponder and to wonder...and to pray. Thankfully, if we have been diligent to "Train up a child in the way he should go...and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6...then we have no need to fear. God will safely guide them "home". Thank you for a beautiful post, both in word and picture.

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  23. You can tell your work is done with so much love!!Pretty!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  24. Beautiful painting--such meaning behind the picture. Oh to be able to take the blessings and treasure them in my heart. To take the painful times and ponder the lessons God wants to teach me through them.

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  25. Beautiful painting and lovely meaningful post!

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  26. Wonderful art work again!
    Have a great weekend!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  27. Beautiful lettering and illustration! My daughter is only two, but she already has so many thoughts going on in her little head....and I can remember being on the child end of that dynamic as well, mostly because I grew up with selective mutism that sometimes kept me from explaining myself. It was healed at a prayer meeting when I was 22, and I am so grateful for that.

    Caitlyn (ladyphlogiston)

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  28. Beautiful, both scripture and drawing. waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

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  29. nice drawings....like the colours....and as a mom I can relate.

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  30. Your drawing is very pretty! Marcia at Just Journals

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  31. Jesus always had the perfect answers, even at age 12. I agree with what others have said. Your artwork is beautiful.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  32. I absolutely love your Virgin Mary! Images like this are heart warming to all who grew up with the Faith

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  33. Love it! And what a lovely connection you've made to our lives as mothers! Fabulous!

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  34. I LOVE your work. Art is such a wonderful medium to spread His word. Blessings!

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  35. Beautiful analogy and painting. Certainly need to be reminded. Blessings, Janet PPF

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  36. Beautiful re-telling and art. I tend to stomp my foot for not understanding, rather than pondering in my heart that which I do not understand...

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I'm so glad to hear from you! Thank you so much for dropping by and taking time to leave me a comment! Be blessed!