Reflections on Light and Dark

SHOP LANDSCAPES

This collection of landscapes paintings is an exploration of light and shadow. I love using pastel colors, but I really wanted step out of my comfort zone by adding some darker moments to these pieces.

What I found throughout painting this collection is that the darker shades actually balance the lighter ones.

What I've experienced this past year of so many ups and downs is the darker moments of life actually help illuminate what truly matters.

Over the past few months, I've been reading through the Psalms. They’ve become my personal prayers.

I've never written poems or anything like that up until now, but one morning during my reading and prayer time, this 'psalm' just flowed from my pen.

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Reflections on Light and Dark

A Personal Psalm

By Shelby Leigh Kizer

I told You, I want the light

but not the dark.

Like it’s been said so many times before,

I wanted the gifts but not the giver.

I wanted the blessings but not the blesser

Who am I to tell You what I want?

Yet, here I am again.

I worshiped the good gifts You blessed me with. They became my idols.

What is worse is I was clueless—

a slave to a sin I didn’t know existed.

But You, Lord, are kind and compassionate—abounding in faithful love and always ready to forgive.

I prayed to hear your voice, to see Your face—

for a sign of Your goodness.

You answered me.

You brought me out of the dark and into the light.

Out of my fears and into Your promises—-namely Your word

Have I been reading the same book all these years?

It suddenly makes sense.

You alone are enough for me.

How could I know this light, this love without a walk in the dark?

The darkness was meant to make me stumble and fall, but You called me by name.

It made You look all the more glorious, all the more powerful, all the more loving.

You meant it for good from the very beginning.

I used to think I wanted the light but not the dark.

But now I pray, Your will be done.

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