“My Hero”

Description

I was born with a form of Dwarfism known as SED Congenita which causes multiple orthopedic complications.  In 1987, as a result of neurological damage, I became fully dependent on crutches for the next 13 years of my life.  I remember in hope and frustration declaring, “If ever I don’t need my crutches anymore, I’m going to burn them!”  When I asked my doctor if he thought that day would ever come, his knowledge spoke, “Most likely, no”.  I never stopped believing though in the One who could heal me and just a few years later I threw the very crutches that ‘man’ said I would always need into a big bonfire!

It was just before the Crutch Burning when I painted “My Hero”.  This painting was inspired by the words of someone dear to my heart.  He calls me his hero because of the strength he sees in my life, but what he doesn’t see is the source of that strength.  In this painting I’ve portrayed myself as a little girl who has fallen while walking with her crutches.  She looks up to the One behind her as if to say, “…but it hurts.”  His strong, but gentle look reveals His response, “It will be okay.  I am with you.”  On my own I am weak, but His strength is always there to pick me up.  He is my hero and His name is Jesus.
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He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

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