Invitations Unexpected and Accepted

Sometimes, entering new rooms can be intimidating, but have we considered that perhaps these are invitations to belong where we never expected? Through Queen Esther’s courage, my guest writer Linda Anne Tindal learns how to be brave in her story, “Invitations Unexpected and Accepted.”

“I learned and am learning. Learning I belong. I am brave enough to allow myself to enter new rooms. You are too. Time, place, and purpose are awaiting your brave acceptance of every invitation you never expected.” Lisa Anne Tindal #Esther #belonging #spiritualgrowth

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Invitations Unexpected and Accepted –

Poor planning on my part led to a less than “pulled together” outfit. Faded jeans, ill-fitting rather than the dark denim, no belt, and a thin blouse. The jacket I chose left my complexion a washed-out tone of ruddy and so I grabbed my coat, not thinking how odd it would be to wear it once inside. Sensible jewelry, hoop earrings, a gold bracelet, and my cross necklace completed the look.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by a beautiful woman dressed in classically Southern attire and coordinating jewelry. I had been invited. We had only spoken by phone or through social media messages. I sensed a strong connection then and felt welcomed. Standing in the presence of this woman, surrounded by fabulous paintings, my confidence shifted. I thought and later said. “I’m out of my element.” Adding, “I’m not sure I belong.”

I am an artist. I suppose I have been an artist or “creative” all my life. An intuitive child, a noticer, a child with a bend towards seclusion. A loner, even. I had been invited to be represented by a new gallery. I did the thing that is hard for me, I decided to add my name and my abilities to be seen by others.

I sketch in my Bible. It is a practice that began almost ten years ago and it’s the activity that led to me deciding to pursue the business of art. A favorite “margin girl” sketch in my Bible is Esther. I have drawn her in the forefront with figures of other women in the background an audience of sorts. Esther is wearing a softly colored lavender gown, not quite purple. The women behind her are dressed in stronger colors, green, blue, scarlet, and grey. Their colors are bold but faded, in a way, tarnished. I have drawn my idea of Esther diminutive and yet, her posture is strong. Her gaze is confidently forward.

Esther was an orphan raised by her uncle who was positioned for royalty only because she (or her uncle) answered a call to possibly become more.

“So, when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in Susa the citadel in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. And the young woman pleased him and won his favor. And he quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her portion of food, and with seven chosen young women from the king’s palace, and advanced her and her young women to the best place in the harem.”

Esther 2:8-9 ESV

There were many young virgins, and there was also the disgruntled and discarded wife, Queen Vashti. There was also the secret Esther held as a sort of curse and treasure. She did not belong, and yet, she was there. She was found worthy.

“The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.”

Esther 2:17 ESV

 She pleased the King and honored Mordecai and her family.

 “Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had commanded her, for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him.”  

Esther 2:20 ESV

 She placed herself in a place that would require belief, belief in her unique abilities, her courage, her deciding to confront what might be disastrous. She approached the King, although all rules opposed her decision. She was not invited, and when she entered, she knew she might perish. Her uncle challenged her to go where she might not escape for the sake of all Jews. He knew she had been invited into the King’s “rooms” and that because of the King’s attraction to her, he’d possibly accept her appearing unasked as well. Mordecai sensed a grander purpose in Esther’s life in her brave willingness to enter this “exclusive” room. She needed to enter this room as she had entered all others, with the confidence that because of God’s design, she belonged there.

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:14 ESV

And Esther saved her family and the family of Jews.

 I would love to say that my gallery visit was one that gave me unshakable confidence and an assurance that my paintings were worthy of hanging alongside the other talented artists. I would like to be less uncertain as to whether I was chosen to be there or if I opened a door in my own strength that I’m not yet ready to open.

How can we know if we are positioning ourselves for perceived “greatness” or if the goodness of God in and for us is equipping for divine places? We look at the path we’ve been walking.

We notice the intersections. We pay attention to the planning of our own courses, and we take into account how the path has positioned us, has lined us up to be with others, and perhaps in places that seem too grand, too spectacular, too scary, too “ill-fitting” even. We acknowledge the places where the pavement of our lives has left potholes and warnings. We define them as hindrances no longer and we embrace the hope of an uncle’s question.

Who knows? It just may be this place and this time that God has orchestrated for you, an invitation to let your life be the light, even lifesaving to others. Your words, your art, your skills, your interactions a display of redemption’s hope and power in the presence of and for the sake of others.

Like Esther, like me, like you… Our lives are letters to be shared with other, letters yet written. May we not allow our background, our appearance, our comparison of ourselves to others to prevent the completion of our stories.

Weeks have passed since the gallery visit, and I would love to say all self-judgment has diminished over my attire and my talent. It has, a little.

The greater gift is the courage I found to go, to enter a new room, the conversations with the learned gallery owner, the kind corrections about my process, and the recommendations both spoken and quietly observed. I learned and am learning. Learning I belong. I am brave enough to allow myself to enter new rooms. You are, too. Time, place, and purpose are awaiting your brave acceptance of every invitation you never expected.

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MEET OUR AUTHOR, LISA ANNE TINDAL

Bio:   Lisa Anne loves family, writing, and art and is led by the hope and quiet confidence to encourage others toward a relationship with Jesus as a redemptive gift.  She is a children’s book author and illustrator. Lisa Anne returned to painting in her fifties and keeps returning. What began as sketches in a Bible, prompted by resonance or comfort, moved to canvas. “When I paint, I am at peace. I am comforted. I am resilient. These are the emotions I hope to convey, to offer to others.” Lisa’s story of becoming an artist is deeply personal, and she shares it and the artwork it inspires in hopes that others may find peace and a bit of joy.

Artist website: www.lisaannetindal.me

Blog: www.lisaannetindal.com

Instagram: lisa_anneart

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