Daily painting – Page 3

Three faces in a small square. The July series was done on 8 x 8 inch Masonite squares so the faces of this loving family are quite small. I know this family well and the love they have for their grandkids is boundless. When I look at the painting I see the constant effort and vigilance this Poppa and Nana (not in the painting) practice in guiding these young ones. It is a remarkable illusion to have so much meaning in miniature.

O God! Educate these children. These children are the plants of Thine orchard, the flowers of Thy meadow, the roses of Thy garden. Let Thy rain fall upon them; let the Sun of Reality shine upon them with Thy love. Let Thy breeze refresh them in order that they may be trained, grow and develop, and appear in the utmost beauty. Thou art the Giver. Thou art the Compassionate.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

When my friend submitted a photo of her grandkids the look of surprise on the little girl face made me laugh. This brother and sister are truly loving companions even tho the painting doesn’t exactly describe them that way.

“Spiritual souls! Tender souls! The hearts of all children are of the utmost purity. They are mirrors upon which no dust has fallen. But this purity is on account of weakness and innocence, not on account of any strength and testing, for as this is the early period of their childhood, their hearts and minds are unsullied by the world. They cannot display any great intelligence. They have neither hypocrisy nor deceit. This is on account of the child’s weakness, whereas the man becomes pure through his strength. Through the power of intelligence he becomes simple; through the great power of reason and understanding and not through the power of weakness he becomes sincere. When he attains to the state of perfection, he will receive these qualities; his heart becomes purified, his spirit enlightened, his soul is sensitized and tender — all through his great strength. This is the difference between the perfect man and the child. Both have the underlying qualities of simplicity and sincerity — the child through the power of weakness and the man through the power of strength.”

— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá