A painting caught my eye yesterday evening. Two individuals captured by the artist with contrasting emotions. I have wondered about their story and how the painting came to be. In the absence of insight, I explore the reflections gifted to me by the women and the artist.
Context changes with one’s viewpoint. I aspire to see life as I reacted to this painting. In the painting, I see love, resolve, and deep friendship. When I choose to see life with eyes of love, compassion, and kindness, my assumptions and reactions trend toward a positive engagement. I find myself looking for ways to engage with hope. My heart looks for ways to be helpful. When I look for the negative, inevitably a dark thread is found. What follows is rarely for the good of those involved.
Life is found in the details. What stories shaped their lives up to the point the moment was captured? In seeking to know with compassion, I begin to move to the light. It is far too easy to rush to judgment. It feels natural to draw conclusions without the full story. Examples have littered history, like Paul’s observation; “If she lives with another man while her husband is living, she’s obviously an adulteress. But if he dies, she is quite free to marry another man in good conscience, with no one’s disapproval.” (Romans 7.3). Examples still exist today with horrific tribal warfare that appears to have started with a false accusation based on myths.
Exploring without judgment creates opportunities for restoration and recreation. I wonder how much of today’s pain could have been avoided if a parent had chosen to embrace a child struggling to understand their identity and sexuality. I can imagine a world where respect and support are foundational in my relationships instead of the more common examples of judgment and criticism. I see a hand resting with compassion and love. I see informed concern and resolve. As difficult as their situation might have been, they are stronger as they face it together.
I look forward to today’s painting.
