The Abide Collection: Now in Oils

This week, I’ve finally reached the oil stage in all four Abide paintings — a milestone that always feels both exciting and difficult as I need to decide how to complete each piece.

I’m not entirely sure yet how each of these will wrap up. I think I’ll need to sit with them one by one as the finishing touches come, listening and waiting to see what the Lord puts on my heart for each piece.

I’ve noticed that the more I pause and wait — rather than striving or chasing the answers — the more the work deepens in quality and meaning. That’s because there’s less of me in it, and more of Christ.

Ideally, there would be none of me at all — only Him flowing through every brushstroke.

Here’s where things are at right now:

Lately, two verses have been resting heavily on my mind:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13

Motherhood often comes with overstimulation and uneven days — at least for me. But quietly repeating these verses throughout the day has helped me find small pockets of peace and deeper communion with God, even in the middle of chaos.

I hope they bring you that same peace too.

Thank you, truly, for reading these each week and for walking with me through this journey of art and faith. Talk again next Friday — and please don’t hesitate to reply if something here speaks to you. I’d love to hear from you.

Warmly in Him,

Martina

P.S. I’ll be at the Sheep River Library on November 21st with homemade cookies — I’d love to see you there!