Jesus Saw
My grandson wanted his mommy to stay home. It took a bit to help him get to a place of accepting it would be the two of us for just a bit. I held him close, hand on his back and my cheek against his head.
“I know. I know.” I said.
Homemade pizza for breakfast softened his little longing and then within minutes he said , “G’Ma let’s paint!”
I painted. He continued his fascination with paper and Elmer’s glue.
Earlier, my not yet daylight drive brought thoughts that became a string of connectedness and a new way to see a longing I’ve always known.
The longing to be seen.
Late afternoon now and I’m thinking of how the hurts we experience or the lack we may have known are parts of stories we do very well to come to terms with even if we’re never able to make them make sense.
I walked without sound other than the leaves rustled up by the wind. I realized I should never go back to noise in my ears on my walks again.
I’m beginning to think more clearly, to love making sense of things and then putting words to them. To love writing again. (Doing my best to have intentionality in writing here)
A memory came as I walked. One so clear it could’ve been that very October day so many years ago.
There are countless memories I can’t grasp and I’m afraid even more I wish my mind would loosen its grip on.
I told a friend yesterday that I often think of quitting when it comes to creative expression. I told her I knew I could not. I knew I never would. I knew it might always be a painful thorn for me, the reality of the way it pains me emotionally to feel unseen, worse yet ignored or rejected.
I know the reasons why and that knowing helps me take very good care of this tender ache. All the same, I wish it did not pain me so after so very long.
I remembered that memory too hard to share, better kept to myself and I told myself gently it’s a gracious miracle that you are here and that you’re an artist.
And that little chat with myself as I walked is a beautiful truth.
I certainly know it’s only my “being seen and known” by God all along the way that has both equipped me and generously given so very much.
I heard two women on a podcast today talking about mountains and valleys. I heard one talk about Moses not making it to the promised land after all he’d struggled to do in obedience and all the years of wilderness wandering with people he was called to lead who were not always grateful followers.
The podcast hosts talked of how that seemed to them so very wrong, so unfair to Moses. But who are they, who are we to get to decide how far God will let someone’s dream/calling come to fruition?
After all, God is God and we are not.
I listened as the woman continued. She had a catch in her voice as she began to share the realization that gave her immeasurable hope.
She read about another time Moses is mentioned. This time he is right beside Elijah and alongside Jesus as our Father God proclaimed, “This is my Son”.
And so, the realization came that after forty earthly years, Moses did not enter the promised land but we get to be sure he made it. The promise was fulfilled.
I remembered this podcast while walking and I remember driving back home on the same “grandma day” road as I felt my eyes become wet with tears.
A thought came.
I will be painting in heaven, in heaven I will paint.
I remembered the early morning thought alongside this confidence. I thought of my longing to be seen, how I’m trying to understand the need in ways that I can grow from.
Three people came to mind. The man paralyzed on a mat, Zacchaeus, and the woman with the blood stained clothes.
I thought of the man lying flat on his back while others bathed in a pool that led to healing. Because he’d been an invalid for so many years I wondered if there were days others tried to either convince him to try or actually helped him into the water and then, after a while he’d developed a reputation. Maybe onlookers concluded he’d accepted his debilitating condition, no need to try, just look away.
But, Jesus came one day and told him, “Get up”. Sort of I know you’ve been here a long time and it makes no sense now to try, but I see you. I want you to try.
“Jesus saw him laying there…” John 5:6-7
I think of a tax collector, a man with a reputation who maybe wanted to undo all of his greed motivated wrongs. A man climbed a tree just to see Jesus. Jesus looked up. Jesus saw him and changed his life.
“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up…”
Luke 19:5 ESV
I think about the woman in blood covered garments in the midst of a curious throng. She didn’t want to be noticed by anyone, just get close to Jesus. No one paused to see her, a woman desperate and dirty. But, Jesus felt her reaching for him and then he turned and saw her.
“Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter…”
Matthew 9:22 ESV
I’ve just finished up three collages layered deeply with torn paper and another painting has been sealed. My idea for abstracts telling the story of God’s enclosure of us in His fold is in the initial brushstroke phase.
I’ve just proofed the 2026 Calendar and I’m a bit joyous over its beauty. Even more over the hope that the artwork inspired by “Whatever is lovely…” (Philippians 4:6-9) will be a hopeful mainstay for others.
You can purchase a calendar here:
“Artist and writer”, a tagline on a letter I just sent as an introduction to my writing hopes.
I won’t lose heart. I will always hope and hope I see others in ways that they need.
I pray my words and my art offer hope.
Lisa Anne Tindal 