When the journey’s long…
Cainspirations by Kristi Cain, February 4, 2021
DISCOVERING DESTINY.
Overcoming Darkness.
How are you overcoming the darkness of a long journey? Let’s journey together!
Even in a new year, this is a hard time for hope.
And it has been a bit of a struggle for me, too, as we turn the pages of another chapter of pandemic life.
But my husband Greg has a talent for discovering some pretty incredible things on the Internet, including a video several years ago that led to my daughter’s miraculous cure.
(But that’s another story. A longer one that took a whole novel to tell.)
More recently — New Year’s eve, in fact — Greg found a very different video about a girl named Akiane Kramarik. And it was truly awe-inspiring.
Although Akiane is many things, typical is not a word anyone would use to describe her.
Born into an impoverished home with an agnostic father who grew up in the slums of Chicago and an atheist mother who escaped an oppressive life in Lithuania, Akiane is not a child most would have pegged for greatness.
But at the age of four, something extraordinary happened to Akiane.
Something that required no special status or education. No impressive resume or track record. Not even the remotest knowledge of the Bible or the ability to read.
A voice and a vision. Things too wonderful for a person of any age to fully describe. Let alone a four-year-old.
She asked the voice who it was. The answer: God.
From that moment forward, she developed an intense passion for artwork. In her words, it was the only way to express what she had experienced. What the God no one had ever told her about had given her.
She began drawing constantly, revealing a skill well beyond her developmental years, such as the sketch of a hand “Gracefulness” (below) which Akiane completed without any adult guidance at age five. She quickly moved onto painting, her talent surpassing professional artists by the age of seven.
At the age of eight, Akiane had a carpenter visit her house bringing her a tangible inspiration for the face that had been on her heart for four years. After she painted the “Prince of Peace” (pictured below) Akiane’s parents promoted her work at different art venues.
But no one saw the value of her divine talent. She received scathing criticism. Someone even told her the best use she could make of the painting would be to burn it.
But Akiane didn’t give up on her gift and neither did God. Over fifteen years and hundreds of paintings later, “The Prince of Peace” is still Akiane’s most popular and valuable masterpiece, with the original selling for $850,000.
Even though most of us are not child prodigies, the light of Akiane’s story shines as a powerful inspiration.
After a year of darkness and disappointment it is easy to feel discouraged. When times have been tough for too long, the hardest thing to hold onto can be hope.
But today, as we forge into this new year and a new dawn of opportunity in our lives, I want to challenge you to consider how massive your horizons can be.
The same God who gives masterpieces to four-year-olds is already making a masterpiece in you. And no pandemic, challenge, or struggle is strong enough to put out the light of your intentional creation. A beautiful array of gifts no one in the universe has but you.
And the more you hold to the master’s hand, there is no limit to the places it can take you and the hope you can shine into a world that needs you more than you can ever imagine.
YOUR TURN!
Don’t make me do all the talking – I’d love to hear from you!
- What is your testimony about God’s inspiration in your life?
- Any dreams or talents you are investing in?
- Do you want to hear about anything else? Any prayer requests?
Just shoot me an email – don’t be shy! And I promise to reply!
Want to learn more about Akiane? Click here!
BEAUTY IN TODAY
Check out these awesome photos from readers like you!
PHOTO CREDITS (top to bottom, left to right): Countryside Sunrise by Ruthe Tucker Short, Englewood, TN; Gabby Mountain Cabin by Debra Jenkins, Franklin, NC; Conasauga Falls by Dawn Martin, Tellico Plains, TN; Brown Swiss-Jersey Calf by Deanna Womac (Owners: Luke & Halee Womac), Athens, TN; Frosty Morning Fog, by Ana Maria Lomperis, Maryville TN; Riverside View by Belinda Jackson, Ocoee, TN; Twilight Fireball by Tammi Millwood, Englewood, TN.
Want to share your “Beauty in Today” picture or inspirational musings? Shoot me an email and you just might be featured in my next issue!
Thanks for visiting with us today! I hope I’ve helped you feel encouraged! – Kristi
Want to join my Cainspirations family of heroes? Click here!
Work looks a lot like play for Kristi Cain and includes freelance writing for Crosswalk, inspirational blogging, writing fantastical stories of Christian fiction, teaching English to teens, and being able to say, “I’m a former journalist.” Home is nestled in the Smoky Mountain foothills with her husband and teenage children. If you ever want a little encouragement in your day, check out her newsletter. Hop over to her website for her latest happenings and join her Facebook group, a fun, faith-based community.
Cainspirations by author Kristi Cain 