The Artist

The Artist at Work in 1982

All my life, I've heard variations of the same question...

"Can you draw?"

"Do you paint too?"

"Did you inherit that art gene?"

My dad has a gift that I know many envy. He can look at a blank wall and see another world in that slab of sheet rock or brick. As you can see from the photo above, this is not something that he discovered one day, but something he has worked at his entire life.

Does he have a gift from the Lord? Certainly.

But he took that gift with immense gratefulness and worked hard to honor the Lord by utilizing it to the best of his ability.

Though I know many do envy the talent, I never really did. I never needed to. I have a dad that basically creates magic with his hands. Most know him for his painting and drawing, but fewer know that his talent does not stop there. He makes many "props" for his projects, he carves pumpkins, decorates cakes, makes stuffed animals, Christmas ornaments, sculptures, doll houses, costumes... the list goes on and on.

I admit, I'm so use to it, it doesn't always amaze me. That's just what I've come to expect. It's not until I meet one of his "adoring fans" that I'm reminded of just how rare his talent is.

Recently, I went as his date to a mural unveiling, and I can't tell you how many times that I heard, "Your dad is amazing!", but one interaction stood out to me above the rest.

A man who had befriended my dad on the project came up to me when my dad was out of earshot, and he wanted to tell me how much he admires my dad's character.

That is what I envy about my dad.

Everywhere he goes, his art draws people in, and dad faithfully honors the Lord by using those opportunities to point people to Christ. That's why the Lord has established the work of Dad's hands. Because he uses his gift to glorify the Giver.

People love my dad. They are drawn to him because he's creative, he's brilliant, he's wise, he's funny, he's honest, he's generous. But they want to be a part of his life because of his character.

So, when I hear "Your dad is so talented.",

I agree.

It makes me proud.

But it means so much more to hear "Your dad is a great man."

I don't say this to earn brownie points with my daddy (I've got all the points already. Haha!). I'm also not saying this to "sell" my dad to anyone. Maybe it sounds like a biased daddy's girl, but if you've met him, you know it's just an accurate description. He's a man of integrity, who puts other's needs before his own, and to my amazement, manages to take personal offense to very little.

He's not deserving of praise. He knows the importance of humility. He knows he's been graciously gifted, and the Lord could take it away whenever He pleases. There are none truly good in the sight of God, but in this world, by human standards, there are few I admire like I admire my dad.

I say all this to say...

No. I can't draw.