My husband announced to me this past Sunday that it was time for us to take another family portrait.  He wants me to set up a time in March for this monumental family event which, I must agree, is long past due.  The last time we took a family picture only five of our seven children were visible in the photo (I was still pregnant with number 6)!  Suffice it to say, we have let life push and push and push until, four years later, we can put off this photo no longer!

It feels pretty good to look over at the happy, smiling family in the last picture.  There is something in the eyes of the children and the parents that seem to say that this is the best time of their lives.  I find myself trying to remember what was going on in our lives at that time to explain why we looked so happy.  Then I recall that we were probably at one of the lowest points of our lives then.  Both our home and income property were in foreclosure (and were both subsequently lost) and bankruptcy loomed over our head.  I spent many nights in tears before God during that time, but when you look at the picture - none of that is evident!

I have believed for quite some time that God uses families to witness to the world.  Just as noone would be able to know of the internal turmoil being experienced by the smiling faces on our family picture, the world looks at our families and can only see the beauty of Jesus.  We know that we are depressed at times, afraid at times, worried at times, perplexed, sick, distressed, etc., but when we hide ourselves in Jesus, all the world can see is JESUS!

While I am looking forward to taking another family picture, I am more excited about the portrait of our family that God Himself has painted for all the world to see.  Unlike the the snapshot taken with the camera, God paints a living portrait.  I am thrilled that the Lord has put our family on display that the world may know that Jesus still lives and loves mankind.  I know that we are not perfect.  I know that we have our family "issues".  But in all these things, we are more than conquerors! (Rom. 8)

A friend of mine was so excited when she called me some weeks ago.  A neighbor of hers had stopped by to speak with her and through the conversation she learned that this neighbor had been watching her family from a distance.  Katie (name changed) began telling my friend what an inspiration she was, how Godly a family they had and how she was inspired by them.  My friend was literally blown away!  She wondered how Katie had come to such a conclusion when they had never really held a long conversation and certainly had not spoken of spiritual things.  I believe that Katie was shown the living portrait of this family that had been painted by God.  I believe that God began speaking to her heart through this portrait, without the knowledge of the original family.  I believe that God is willing, even desirous, to do the same through each of us.

No matter what your circumstances are today, no matter what you are going through, remember that God has painted a portrait of your family too.  When you hide yourself in Jesus, you will find the grace and strength you will need to make it through anything that life throws your way, and you will also help others to see the true source of your strength - Jesus!  Our family, neighbors, co-workers/clients, and even our enemies are pointed towards us everyday.  I can imagine God saying, "Do you see this family?  I want to do the same thing for your family, if you will let me."

The question is whether or not we will allow God to paint His portrait.  This means that we will have to allow him to choose the canvas, the brushes, the paint and the colors.  If God chooses to paint your portrait using grays and browns and blacks, will you be as willing a subject as when He chooses cheery yellows and calming blues?  Should God select to use a rough canvas on which to paint your portrait(like foreclosure and bankruptcy) will you allow Him to complete His masterpiece?

Here's the thing, I didn't know what God was doing then.  All I knew is that I was hurting and I wanted Jesus to fix it.  Now, in hindsight, I can see so much clearer.  I feel a little like Joseph in beholding the Hand of God in operation in my life.  I believe that our new family picture will show a much happier, more secure family.  Today's portrait would show a family that has literally grown (seven kids, not five!) and its members have matured!  (And yes, mommy is much closer to 40 than she was in the last photo).  

I pray that these same things are evident spiritually, in the living portrait that God is daily painting of my family.