REPLICATES: Painting by numbers

I bought our youngest daughter an art kit of her favourite painting which she retitles and refers to as 'Starry Starry Night'.

I suppose it could be a travesty or offense to the original Van Gogh masterpiece to rename and reduce the original wonder to a colouring project, however, it brings so much delight to a sweet ten year old heart.

Each colour opened with a gasp of appreciation of shades and hues. Great joy in the spiraling movement of shapes and artistry.

Van Gogh painted 'The Starry Night' from his asylum, while struggling with his mental health yet the depth of his strokes and their emotions make it a timeless representation of our own struggles to grasp light in darkness.

While we try to navigate our own swirling realities, I find myself appreciating the metaphor of 'painting by numbers'; following a simple outline pattern to duplicate the master painter....

I need HIS artistry over my life canvas! There are many things that unintentionally reproduce; images and reflections far from what I hope to be. Misprepresenting the original artist's intentions and design.

May I somehow begin to replicate his heart and love with each infilling colour stroke trusting that he who began his creative, unfolding work within me will carry it on to completion.

'For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works...'

Ephesians 2:10