Goodness & Mercy

I had the privilege to paint life during Forest Park Covenant Church's Ash Wednesday service. This piece began with bright vibrant colors and the painted words ‘surely goodness and mercy will follow’... (pointing us to psalm 23). As the painting progresses, dark drips and splatters covering over most of the vibrant colors and the words ‘goodness and mercy’, symbolizing the pain, hurt, loss we experience in life. It almost seems to mask over the goodness and mercy. Yet, something new emerges by the end. ‘Surely’ comes back to the front and is emphasized: a promise without end! Also the word ‘follow’ comes to the surface. It serves as a reminder that we are invited to follow God to the robust depths of this life... and that Mercy and Goodness are ALWAY close by (even if we can’t see them). Lastly, there are ‘mended hearts’ on the canvas (hearts with stitches) showing the love that is remade.