Creatures of Imitation

Painting with Anna:
Anna's painting is top left
Elsa's painting is bottom right

My Summer has been a whirlwind of activity. It seems as though just yesterday I was taking my final exams. . .and now I am starting to think about move-in day for the fall semester?! Goodness gracious. If someone discovers a way to freeze time, let me know. 

I made a list of all the things I wanted to do this Summer, and one of them was to complete a painting with my older sister, Anna. She is a super talented artist: she understands colors and textures and light better than anyone that I know. 

But. I am not talented with a pencil, paintbrush, or pen. It does not come naturally for me to be creative in this way. 

Today, though, I completed this beautiful picture of a sunflower. . .and surprised even myself! 

Fun fact: did you know that sunflowers are the only flowers who have "flower" in their name?

Anna guided me step-by-step. Our pictures are not the same, but they are similar. She answered every silly question, she slowed down when I needed her to do so, and she guided my strokes. I was only able to paint this picture because I was imitating someone who confidently knew how to paint. 


Humans are creatures of imitation. Look at little children; they are constantly copying their parents and other "grown-ups" (SHOUT OUT TO ALL OF THE OLDER SIBLINGS OUT THERE WHO UNDERSTAND THIS STRUGGLE). When we grow up, we still do the same thing, it's just that we're very "important" and don't think about it as much. We tend to dress, think, act, and talk like those around us. 

Sunflowers are rarely found alone. In fact, if a sunflower grows by itself, it is unlikely that it will last very long at all. This is because weeds and other vegetation will overtake it. Sunflowers grow best in large fields of surrounding sunflowers where there is nothing between them and the sun.

Humans are like that, too. We surround ourselves with other people. Those people can either overtake and crush the life within us, or, they can help us to turn our faces to the true Source of Life. 

"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, 

but the companion of fools will suffer harm."

~ Proverbs 13:20

I don't know how to paint. But under the instruction and guidance of my older sister, I was able to paint something beautiful. Every day of our lives, we are listening and learning from others. Whether you like it or not, you are becoming like the people around you.

So, who are you becoming?

To my family in Christ: 
Are you surrounding yourself with people who are guiding you and giving you life? Or are you surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself, and don't challenge you to grow? 
Are you a part of a local body of believers? Or have you forsaken the beautiful picture of the church? 
Do you have someone older than you who is teaching you, praying for you, and showing you how to grow up into a Godly person? Or do you think that you are somehow "too good" for a mentor?  

Don't fool yourself. I have seen it happen time and time again; even in my own life. We become, for better or worse, like those who we spend the most time with. 

The sunflower's purpose is to grow closer to the sun. Likewise, our purpose is to grow closer to the Son. When we spend our time with other people who love Jesus we will become closer to Jesus. But, the longer we spend with those who distract us from our true purpose, the farther and farther away we get from the One who loves us perfectly. And that, my friends, is a dangerous road to go down. It is one of thorns and thistles and weeds. It is one of purposelessness. 

So, don't put it off! Start surrounding yourself with people who love the Creator of the Universe and you will start to see and understand the glory of living in the Light. They exist, believe me. You just have to find them. 

But, most importantly, turn your face to Him. Always.

He is the source of Life, so keep Him close, dear one. Instead of pulling out your phone and checking Facebook, emails, and texts, start your day by talking to Him and reading His Word. Instead of complaining to others, bring your complaints to Him. Instead of trying to get your satisfaction from people, dwell and meditate on His goodness. He will not disappoint. After all, how often does the presence of the sun disappoint the sunflower? 

This Summer, I have completed these canvases. Anna helped me with the two paintings, and the quote is from the book "The Hobbit." They will hang in my apartment this Fall, constant reminders that I am a creature of imitation.

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It's what the sunflowers do." 
~ Helen Keller

P.S. Sunflowers are clearly the most beautiful and wonderful flowers out there so I just need everyone to agree on this. Thanks. 😉