A Missed Opportunity
The Joys of Painting by Henri Harpignies
It's a beautiful day for our artist to be outside painting. The sunlight is perfect to reflect the soft greens and purple hues of the mountains in the background. Our artist is hard at work capturing nature's life while at the same time ignoring all the human life surrounding him! The children -- 10 in all -- have found his quiet outdoor studio. Some are intent on watching him work. Several are enthralled with his paints. One child seems glad just to flop on the grass near the action.
The artist has his back almost defiantly to us. He is intent to get something done despite all his visitors! The reason for painting is to create beauty and enjoyment and inspiration to the viewers. But, can we be so focused on our good goals and projects that we miss being an inspiration to those surrounding us in the here and now? The dilemma is always so much to do and so little time to do it before the night sets in. So we stiffen our resolve to keep focused and not get distracted.
I am reminded of the Lord Jesus who went about his days with definite purpose and yet always had time for distractions (usually people) that God allowed to interrupt his schedule. If we see that every interruption and every distraction has been allowed by our Father in Heaven then they take on new and fresh meaning. They become the opportunities to bless and encourage.
If our artist would only look up for a moment to explain his picture, or demonstrate his technique, these children might be inspired and show further interest later in life. But an opportunity is being missed in the moment, to strive for one in the future. If the future never comes then both are missed.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, endures all things." I Corinthians 13:7