Watercolors by
Michele E. Struss
www.HisPaintbrush.com
Michele Struss
"My Hero"
16x20 unframed
Lithograph
Printed on 100% acid-free 80# cover stock
$35.00 each (includes shipping)
For more information Contact
us
To Order
Please send a $35 check or money order to:
ReachOUT.org, Inc.
PO Box 173
Garnerville, NY 10923
Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.
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Enclosed
with each print is the following...
About the Artist
I was born with a form
of Dwarfism known
as SED Congenita which
causes daily physical
struggles, pain and the
need for multiple
surgeries. Yet, in the
middle of all that
I see a precious gift as
I've watched the
trials of my life grow
my faith and deepen
my relationship with Jesus.
For that, I call
myself blessed for being
created as I am.
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 utter frustration
declaring,
"If the day ever comes
when I don't
need my crutches, I'm going
to burn them!"
When I asked my doctor
if he thought that
day would ever come, his
wisdom spoke, "Most
likely, no." But I
never stopped believing
in the One who could heal
me. On September
29, 2001 I threw the very
crutches that 'man'
said I would always need
into a big bonfire!
My doctor of 28 years was
there and said,
"There are many doctors
but only one
Healer. The Healer is the
Lord above us.
We have to acknowledge
this."
About
the Painting
My Hero 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.
"But this treasure - this light and power
that now shine within us - is held in perishable
containers, that is, in our weak bodies.
So everyone can see that our glorious power
is from God and is not our own." 2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT
After countless prayers, tears, and three
attempts, which took a full year and a half,
I was able to fulfill the vision God gave
me and complete the work, My Hero. Those
two failed attempts taught me more than any
successful painting I created. Without the
leading of the Holy Spirit I would never
have had the strength or courage to try a
second and then a third time. My prayer through
it all remained the same: "Lord, I cannot
do this alone; I need You to be the artist
and simply use me as Your paintbrush through
which You reveal Your heart."
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