Streams of Comfort

When I wrote this poem for water, I was unsure of the destination. I did not know where the poem was going or what facet of water it would explore. As I learned about the differences between watercolor and oil painting, it reminded me about how different the past us is from the new us that is being transformed by God. As we wrestle with our worldly desires, we need God to help us navigate through them into rest. Remembering that Jesus gives us water, life, that will never run dry.

You painted a beautiful landscape.
Grey mountains in the distance covered in snow,
Their pointed peaks reaching the sky,
A forest of cypress trees stretching out in front of them,
A collage of green, orange ,and red that stretches to a body of water,
A stream that is both languid and still,
And reflects the deep blue of the sky,
A picture of beauty, peace, and rest.
You called me here to continue the painting,
To add to this wondrous landscape made with watercolor,
But my paint brush drips with oil,
My emotions rage in bright color,
And are nothing like the muted pigment of watercolor.
I only understand oil painting,
Watercolor is unfamiliar, calm, and terrifying,
Emotions that are at rest,
And I am afraid that the oil won’t mix in.
I was lost in these thoughts,
When I felt you remove the paint brush from my hand,
And replace it with a new one.
“Use this ”, you say,“ You can keep it,”
I turn it over in my hand, feeling the weight and texture of the wood,
“What if this brush, too, drips with oil in my hand? “ I question,
Examining the brush in fear,
Half expecting oil to form in the bristles immediately.
“You can’t”, you respond,
“This brush has already been saturated with water and it also has a secret.”
“A secret?” I repeat,
Leaning in closer with intrigue,
“It never becomes dry,” you reveal.
“How is that possible,” I say in surprise,
“Nothing is impossible with God,” you state simply,
And then walk away to continue to work on your next painting.
Leaving me with the new brush in my hand,
Exactly what I need,
But unsure on where to start.