‘Be Still My Soul’ Print

The narrative of this piece is a message of comfort, during the overwhelming times of our lives. God sees us and He cares.

Medium: Museum Archival Inks on Hahnemühle Rag Fine Art Paper

Dimensions: Each print features an 11×14 inch painting, presented on fine art paper, allowing for an elegant white border with title and signature.

Artist’s Note:

“A New Testament night was divided into four watches –
the fourth watch being from
3am until 6, about sunrise.

After the Savior
fed the 5000,
He had his disciples
get into a boat; they obeyed.
Jesus then went to
seek solace in prayer.

Throughout the night a storm swept down on the disciples –rowing frantically and hardly moving, they needed help.

“Did heaven look on, and would not take their part?”
–Shakespeare

In Mark’s version he adds
one important detail –
Jesus “saw them toiling in rowing”.
They did not know how
aware he was of them.

And then “about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea,…
[and] they…saw him…
and immediately he
saith unto them,
Be of good cheer: it is I…
And he went up unto them into the ship;
and the wind ceased”.

Take Joseph Smith’s experience –
“At the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction -…just at the moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light”.

Hagar in Genesis sunk into despair when saying, “the water was spent.” In the wilderness with her son, Ishmael, with no food or water she thought
their lives were over.
She lifted up her voice and wept.
God, SEEING her, opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the bottle and gave them water to drink and live.

In 1 Kings, a widow, desperate in time of famine, gathered two tiny sticks for her and her son’s last meal. Elijah then came to the gate and was able to help them live. Through a messenger of God,
she was seen.

At the moment of despair; when the water is spent; when we’re preparing the last meal, that’s when the Lord tends to come.

As the wind’s pick up in our lives, and our boat is about to capsize, the universe can seem very empty.

Until he comes, “suppose this is an opportunity” [thanks Abish] to become stronger in your spiritual rowing, and trust this is helping you become who you are destined to be.

Take comfort he is
on the hillside watching.
HE SEES YOU.
And he will come.

After the dark night,
comes the sun / Son.

Inspired by Michael Wilcox’s talk, “When My Prayers Feel Unanswered”.