My grandfather was an artist and I remember watching him perfect his skills over the years. As a senior he even began attending art classes at the county college. He was always drawing and sketching but in time he began to paint beautiful pictures including murals for a church in our hometown.
He often gave paintings away to his family and friends but his garage/art studio was still full with the evidence of his work. My grandfather passed away several years ago and it is a long story, but the paintings he had in his possession were stolen and never recovered.
It hurt to know that those things were gone along with him. I thought that if those paintings were still with us we would feel him near. But something different happened. Prior to all of this, as my sister and I were growing up, our grandfather gave us art lessons. I remember drawing with him in the living room or painting with him at the picnic table in the backyard. He explained how to do things so that we would achieve certain effects and how to draw things in proper proportion.
Little did I know that at that picnic table he was recreating a part of himself. Because he passed on what God had blessed him with, his art is not lost and it did not disappear with him – my sister never forgot those lessons. She paints, draws, and designs amazing graphics while brightening the lives of others with her talents just as he did.
It is never too late to begin using your gifts or acquiring new skills to make them better.
Today, be encouraged not to hide those talents that you have been blessed with. Light up this world for God’s glory and use your gifts to empower the next generation!
Matthew 5:14-16 (New King James Version)
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
