I love flowers! Most photos on my phone are of different kinds of flowers. I like to hunt for lovely wildflowers by the way side of a river that no one notices. I often meditate and enjoy them as my friends, and they also teach me many lessons in life. They are so tiny, quiet and lovely!
However, one day, when I felt stressed, I asked a friend if she would like to visit a peaceful countryside parish in Manitoba, and take me with her. On the way, there was “a mess of thoughts”, and feelings of fatigue, anxiety, fear, depression… invaded my being.
The busy streets and houses of Winnipeg gradually disappeared, and before my eyes were stretched wheat fields. Then beautiful yellow canola fields appeared. I felt my soul at ease…
For a while, I couldn’t take in the vast sunflower fields appearing in front of my sight. The tall vertical flowers, facing the sun to receive the peaceful rays of a new day, seemed extraordinary.
“Excuse me, could you stop here a little bit please?” I asked the driver.
Then my friend drove onto a small road and stopped the car. I hurriedly opened the car door and ran into the fields. I enjoyed looking at the beautiful bright sun flowers. They seemed like friends who understood what was going on in my mind and heart. It reminded me of Psalm 25:5 “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior. For you I wait all the long day, because of your goodness, LORD”.
Thanks so much my sunflower friends, now I know what to do! There is only one necessary thing as you always turn to the sun, I also seek only God in all things.
And the end of that day, my spiritual journey in my diary was a watercolor painting of my friend SUNFLOWER WELCOMING THE NEW LIGHTS.
Now I share that watercolor painting with you.
Sunflower Painting ©Giang Pham, 2022. All rights reserved worldwide.
My name is Giang Pham, I belong to the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. I was born in a simple family farmer in a small countryside of Viet Nam. I was sent to Canada after my perpetual Vows on July 2019 and shared the international community life with RNDMs in Winnipeg, Saint Boniface Diocese.
I have loved art since I was a child. I used to draw my feelings on sand every time I was in happiness, sadness or even in troubles. Gradually, drawing and painting skills were formed in me. I enjoyed meditating on the beauty of creation and then expressed that in my paintings. I believe that God has a special purpose for each of us even when we are in the deep ocean of failure. We can always keep our dream. My dream is to be a brush in God’s hand, to express God’s beauty in creation and the feelings inside human hearts.
It’s such a beautiful painting.And the sun flower story has really touched my heart .Thanks for sharing sister Giang❤️
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Thank you Giang for sharing your painting with us, as well as the process through which it came to birth. The kind of “being in relationship” with Creation you describe, is such an important shift for us humans! And crucial for a world in a state of climate crisis.
Thank you, Giang, for sharing your art – such vibrant colours! It sounds like you and the sunflowers were one in welcoming light that day!
Lovely painting Giang. Thanks for sharing your experience through painting.
Wow, Giang, what a beautiful sunflower painting. The beauty of your sunflower painting and the soft colours express peace and contentment;
I loved the painting but even more so was the description of how the painting came about. I was also touched by your statement that you are a brush in Godde’s hands painting the beauty of Creation. It is a wonderful image and idea.
This is such a beautiful reflection and painting, Giang. As I read your words describing your joy in being with the sunflowers, I couldn’t help but think that these flowers were also enjoying your company too!
Thank you for sharing your gift,I am blessed to see your beautiful paintings.
Thanks Giang for your wonderful gift of colour and design expressed on canvas…Your Maple leaves painting is so beautiful…and the Sunflower is remarkable. Thank you.