Mustard seeds

Working into canvas two, the tiny mustard seeds.

Yesterday was a peculiar day. A relation was taking an important exam and my thoughts, as I was working, were on them. I decided to paint the mustard seeds and give them a little more solidity before adding a breath of sorts around them. It was really poignant, painting these tiny symbols of hope and renewal, and praying into the exam. God sees hope very differently to us. He sees not only our successes but how our weaknesses and failures can shape us and make us stronger. He can see how we are made stronger, more determined, and how we are affirmed by the experiences we go through. The city of Birmingham is full of hope but I think, sometimes, people cannot see it. We look down too often instead of looking up. We focus upon and take apart our failings without recognising our areas of success.  We look to ourselves rather than to the Creator. My prayer is that we can reveal hope to those around us, that Vineyard church can be hope to people wherever they stand, because we stand there for God, no one else, for His glory.