I iflipped the pages of my Bible this morning to find the page that was found to make sense of my 2025 word. I had chosen “polished” but not in the way I now see my choice was for. I had chosen the word because I wanted to do some fine tuning and revisions of me and my brand as an artist (and writer). I was hoping to draw the attention of galleries and collectors who it seemed did not find me worthy or “polished” enough.
What I began to see was that the word polished was never at all about polishing my image or my art. It was about readying me to be kept once polished and ready to be used, shot from the bow in God’s hand like an arrow.
he made me a polished arrow;
in his quiver he hid me away.
Isaiah 49:2
I’ve been a resistant to some things I believe God has been readying me for.
I paused in front of the magazines at Publix yesterday. I still cannot quite believe that in December my story as a Featured Artist will be in the Winter issue of this beautiful magazine. People all over the country, maybe the world will read about how I came back to art because art had been patiently waiting for me.
I told a friend today, “I’m just not very good at being okay with a whole lot of attention.”
I think about the words that will accompany photos of my art in this magazine, “What Women Create” on shelves in December. I understand with quiet confidence that it is not me that is being shared, it is my story of beginning with my Bible a decade ago.
And so, this beginning with my Bible is where I have come back to as my story meant to be told.
I have submitted a book proposal for a devotional called “The Colors of Your Bible” to three publishers/agencies.
One has said “No”, two have been unresponsive. This is the way of this business. Expect rejection but hope for possibility.
I bought a new Bible just like the one that got me started and I’m hoping to share it with others, inviting others to be creative.
For now, I’m just excited that I am saying yes to sharing this practice with you.
Several days ago, out walking with my grandson Henry, I paused to think about the recent attention I’ve gotten because of my art.
I thought of the reality of it all being pretty unbelievable, even uncharacteristic of the life I’ve mostly known.
I thought of my life up to now, my childhood, my trauma, my rescue by God, my life leveling out and I let the tears fall.
These words may be wasted on you; but, just know it is something to be amazed by to see who I am now alongside who I used to be.
A couple of weeks ago, I woke on my couch. I had moved from my bed because of a cough that was annoying. I opened my eyes, pulled my blanket up to my chest and I saw the light on the place I have adorned with art. I saw this place in my home in a new light.
I remembered all the homes I have known. One in particular led to my thoughts. It was a house made of cinder blocks painted pale green. It was a flat and long house with very little yard, it was a house in the fork of a road from town to country.
It was damp. I must’ve been about ten years old. I was very afraid living here. I thought of my now home in light of other homes I have known that felt just so very transient. So uncertain, so not well, not “well off” at all.
I know with certainty that is why God woke me with this different view, the light coming through.
I know it is hard for others to understand why good things might be scary, close to debilitating for me.
I painted a duck today, vibrant and fun and very much adding and taking away of color. A friend said “You can paint anything!” and I answered her, “its just deciding not to give up”.
Are you tentative over success or attention? If so, let me be your reluctant example of believing what seems so very surprising.
God sees as you, and what was seen in the beginning of you has not been forgotten.
If it seems you’ve lived a life mostly hidden; perhaps, you’ve been kept safe, stayed polished until it was the time for your unique use.
I’m not sure where my art and words may go next or whether they’ve gone far enough.
Either way, I have had everything I needed and so much more.
You can visit my website here to see my latest paintings.
Lisa Anne Tindal 