I chose Roy Lichetenstein’s “Hopeless” painting as an introduction to this blog, because it’s sort of a humorous commentary on romance. 

In February, you’ll often hear the phrase: “I’m a hopeless romantic”, implying that a person’s romantic tendencies cannot be helped. A lucrative art form today is the romantic comedy, which sort of feeds off the fantasy island way that things should be in the love department: sentimental, idealistic, with a picture perfect ending. There is nothing wrong with that type of entertainment unless you are actually deluded into thinking your love life should mimic the movies.  

But there is nothing humorous about a lack of hope.

Artists can be inspired by a variety of things. If you’ve read my blog for a while you know that my creative juices flow whenever I can gift someone a painting that brings them joy or is a reminder of something wonderful in life. 

© Laura Gabel, “Hope in the Desert”. 5×7 framed to 13×16, mixed media. $99. Purchase Here

My painting today, “Hope in the Desert” was designed as an inspirational reminder that when things are tough, ugly, rough and almost look like there is no way out, there is hope.

© Laura Gabel, “Hope in the Desert”. 5x7 framed to 13x16, mixed media. $99.
© Laura Gabel, “Hope in the Desert”. 5×7 framed to 13×16, mixed media. $99. Purchase Here

I am very close to someone who is a parent of an addicted child/adult. The repetitive walk seems to include living with a fear that a telephone call will alert you to death, constantly saying no to pleadings for money, jail visits, sickness, thievery, a trail of psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and rehab programs that haven’t worked…sort of a desert with no end in site.

For me, just observing this experience is heartbreaking. There appears to be a moment when a parent finally decides they cannot fix his/her child’s addition. 

It’s at this point, as it is in all desert experiences that you choose to become hopeless or hopeful. If you define hope as wishful thinking then it’s no hope at all. 

The Biblical definition of hope is “confident expectation.” Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown. It is unclear and unknown whether this addicted young woman will someday live a life without drugs, but I have hope.

Romans 8: 24-25 states, “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” 

This hope has to be a moment by moment, day by day walk. So we patiently pray and walk in love, confident and focused on God’s promises rather than on these gut-wrenching problems. 

Yes, a flower can bloom in the desert, so my hope is not a last resort, it’s a foundation that keeps me strong and keeps me believing in God’s best outcome. That indeed, in His time and sovereignty He is always working things out for the good for those that love Him. (Romans 8:28)

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Vincent van Gogh

I’d love to hear what you hope for in 2019.


1 Comment

What are your longings? - lgabel.com · February 28, 2019 at 11:20 am

[…] my brother Alan and Teresa invited me out to Arizona, I was excited! I was excited to see their beautiful home. Very excited to see, once again, […]

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