Timothy J. Pruitt's Blog, page 128

Sketch Frontiersman

Fess Parker played both Dave’s Crockett and Daniel Boone, so I based this Frontiersman sketch on him. As we go into the new year, I pray we have the mindset of a pioneer, to accomplish something that isn’t just new, but beneficial for all those we love.

iPainting Sleepy Bear

iPainting Denzel Washington

Happy Birthday Denzel Washington.

Stephens Day Boxing Day

Today is called Stephen’s Day in some parts of the world, Boxing Day in others. Traditionally it’s the day when people remember the first Christian Martyr Stephen. In England it was a time for people to box up some of their Christmas bounty to share with the less fortunate. In Christ both ideas marry perfectly.

Jesus came to give us something we could not attain to, and opened up possibilities we could never imagine. Stephen’s Day not only follows Christmas, Stephen followed Christ’s footsteps to give his life for what he believed. I’m so doing his life impacted thousands, including the man who would become the Apostle Paul.

I did this portrait of Queen Elizabeth II with Stephen’s Day or Boxing Day in mind. The Queen herself has often said how her faith has strengthened her during dark times. Our world faces challenges like we have never seen, but every problem will bow to Jesus. Whether it’s personal, communal, national, or even global, His Grace is still far greater than every foe. As we box up another year, trust in The One Who holds the world in His hand, and Who will carry us on!

Merry Christmas From PruittWrites.com 2021

The Innkeeper’s Portrait – A Christmas Story

Merry Christmas to all of our readers from PruittWrites, we hope this time of year and festive holiday season find you well. We would like to share a Christmas story about Faith that was inspired by our Pastor, Pastor Denny Livingston, a week before Christmas. We hope you enjoy The Innkeeper’s Portrait.

The artist Glen Fife had been commissioned to produce a special piece, perhaps the most important painting he had ever received an order for. As most artists, he would start out with a sketch, and they’d go from there. Time was not an issue originally, having been given a little over a year to produce it.

Yet, not one for procrastinating, Glen found himself less than thirty days out from the due date, without as much as a canvas to show for it. Thankfully, the recipient didn’t know that, he wasn’t the one who commissioned it. Unfortunately the person who had ordered it was very well aware, as he was married to her.

“Glen, you’ve got to come up with something, it’s almost time.” Mae would say every morning, just after breakfast. The first week of December, they were kind little suggestions, but with every day the tone shifted slightly, and who could blame her.

The painting was for a very special person, their son Tom. Tom Fife was the Pastor of Albertstown Church, and they were to have a huge Christmas program. The center of it would be the Christmas sermon. Tom prayed so hard every year to make Christmas more than just a holiday to the people.

All this was running in Glen’s mind that tenth of December, as he walked into his studio. He turned up the gas knob on the little fireplace, and picked up his sketchbook. Glen had made a hundred sketches over the last few months.

He had tried to capture every aspect of Christmas he could, but somehow none of them seemed just the right image. “How do you sketch Christmas, and do it justice?” Glen would ask no one in particular as he worked.

That morning, it was as if the dust cleared, or rather the blizzard stopped. Why not talk to Tom? If anyone could give him ideas, surely he could. Glen couldn’t tell his son about his Mother’s surprise obviously, but he could ask about the Sermon.

He decided he had better first get the okay from Mae, for safety reasons, mostly his own. Reluctantly she agreed, after stressing that he mustn’t know anything about it over and over. Mae was a sweet woman, but this was her baby boy’s gift they were talking about.

Glen did murmur something about him being his son too, but he knew that wasn’t really relevant over this. Other than making him feel a little less nervous about asking the boy he had taught to pray, how to define Christmas.

Yes, that’s the way to frame it he thought. It should be mentioned, Glen was no stranger to a Christmas sermon, he had been the Pastor before Tom took over. For him though, it was easier to share his passion for Christmas from the pulpit than it was the easel.

That’s understandable, because from the pulpit you’re conveying conviction, with a painting you’re attempting to reflect it. “Light shared is far more powerful than light shown” Glen had told the congregation almost every Christmas. He had stressed that beyond the decorations, there must be substance.

All of this is why this painting weighed so heavily on him. It was a subject Glen knew a great deal about, was passionate for, and had spoken of to others for decades, he knew that’s why he was having such a challenge with it. This was not some meaningless portrait, this was a visual means of conveying a spiritual truth.

“How’s the Sermon preparation going son? Do you know where your taking your text from this year? How’s Kate and the boys?” Glen listened intently to the answer of every question, but he still didn’t get the answer that he needed yet.

It was a good conversation though, Glen always enjoyed talking to his son. The Bishop, and professional painter found himself en route to his studio once the conversation was over, but he never made it there. Instead, he found himself back at his desk in the bedroom, where he prayed every morning.

Having had no success with his own ideas, Glen decided to ask the source for the answer. He could almost imagine a whisper in his ear as he began, “Twelve months and you’re asking now?”, but that was Glen’s thought, not The Lord. God was far less sarcastic than Glen, especially over this.

Glen had asked God concerning it, for help with the project. For Divine insight into it, and for understanding as to why it had been so challenging. It was not that he hadn’t received an answer either, when asked, the words time and season always came to his mind.

The minister knew that, just because you don’t understand the answer, doesn’t make the answer any less real. Each time, after prayer, Glen realized everything would come together in time, he was just hoping that the answer would come in time for the paint to be dry.

It’s a funny thing about us humans, we tend to look at things through human eyes. No matter how many times the answer showed up right on time, we can get a little impatient. One Pastor said it well, “We set our watch by minutes, and God measures by centuries.”

Almost as soon as Glen finished praying, there was a knock at the door. It was his neighbor Ralph Wallace. Ralph and he had been friends for probably twenty years, even if Ralph never agreed to go to Church with him. Glen hadn’t stopped asking, just became more strategic about the when and where of the question.

Glen didn’t rightly know why Ralph didn’t want to find time for Church. He had asked, but Ralph always made excuses. Glen didn’t bring any of this up when Ralph walked in, but it all had flashed through his mind as he walked through the door.

“Glen, I need your help. Leah’s been in an accident. My car’s in the shop, can you take me to the hospital?”

Glen grabbed his coat, hat, and keys and headed out the door behind Ralph. “Thanks Glen, she was doing some last minute shopping for the grand kids, and some prep for the Christmas service. Joseph is going to be in the Christmas play at your son’s Church.”

Glen decided it best to ignore the last sentence. “Did they say how she’s doing? Is there anything we can help with?”

Ralph smiled. “You’re doing it. Thankfully they said she’s okay except, her leg is broken. I know that’s big, but I got to tell you, I was so thankful to hear her complaining to me about it messing up her favorite shoes.”

Both husbands laughed heartily. It was not only funny, but a release of nerves. Each man knew how much their spouses meant to them. Glen was glad to hear Leah would be okay.

It took about twenty minutes to get there, and about an hour later Ralph was helping Leah into Ralph’s van. “They could have sent me home thirty minutes ago, but Dan Mahoney was on break. The boy may be a doctor, but he’s still the same student who was always late in my English class in tenth grade.”

Glen thought, Leah was as feisty as ever, she was going to be just fine. Ralph was brave enough to say, “Now honey, be nice. We’ll get you home and get you rest.”

Leah was too fired up to settle down just yet. “There’s no time to settle down. I’ve got Christmas to host. Ralph you’ll have to help me cook this year, there’s just no way around it. You’ll have to be my legs, I need your help?”

Glen didn’t know exactly what it was, but the last sentence sounded different. She went from statements to a leading question. He figured this was about something other than getting the turkey out of the oven, but it wasn’t his business.

He made small talk, helped them inside, and went home. Ralph and Leah weren’t ones for loud arguments, but like all couples they had disagreements. Usually Glen found out about it when Ralph knocked on his door suggesting a game of chess, and a cup of coffee. That meant he was letting the dust settle before going back.

Glen did something similar with Ralph, but they usually played checkers at his house. That afternoon, Glen heard just enough as the storm door closed behind him to have the chess board ready. Ralph saw when he walked back over and smiled. “Leah’s napping, time for a game?”

Rather than talk about the argument, Glen brought up his own predicament about the painting he was supposed to do. “Ralph, I’ve been a professional artist for twenty years. I’ve been a Minister longer than that. I don’t know why it’s so hard, but I can’t for the life of me figure out the best way to sketch Christmas to get this painting started.”

Ralph made a few suggestions, but they seemed half hearted. Finally he turned serious. “I guess you heard Leah was upset as you walked down the front steps. She’s determined not to miss that service at your son’s Church. The grandkids and Ned and Sally started going there in the spring, and the grandkids are in the pageant.”

“Leah knew I wouldn’t go before, so she didn’t ask. Now she knows I have to help her just get ready, and she wasn’t taking no for an answer. If I don’t go, I doubt Christmas will be very happy this year.”

Glen smiled. “Would it really hurt so badly to go? You could pretend you’re just at a Christmas play?”

Ralph smiled, then looked out the window. “I doubt I have much choice really. I wish I did.”

Glen did hear a whisper in his mind this time. “Time and season. Ask him.” Glen’s mouth was open before he even knew what he was going to say. “Ralph, we’ve been friends a long time, could you give me the reason, the real reason you don’t want to go?”

He expected an argument, or some vague answer, but not this time. “Glen, you never met my Dad did you? He passed on before you moved to town.”

Glen shook his head, and Ralph continued. “My Dad’s name was John, and he was the local Santa Claus at Christmas time. Mr. Christmas they called him. He was an insurance salesman the rest of the year, but not at Christmas. During the holidays, he was the first to decorate, the most generous to give, and the loudest laugh.”

“I was fifteen when he had his second heart attack. He was so young, but it triggered a stroke. Dad was around for about five months after that, but he was already pretty much gone.”

“We never went to Church, but I sure prayed during that five months. I just never got an answer, and well, I determined I’d never try again, since it didn’t work. No offense intended, but that’s what I decided at fifteen.”

Glen wasn’t offended, he had heard this argument before. People tried to make sense of their problems, and somehow God became The One they blamed for them. Glen had some good responses for this, but for Ralph, only a question came to mind? “Ralph, you love your family very much don’t you? Is it that you don’t believe God is real, or that you don’t believe He cares?”

Ralph looked at him thoughtfully. “Well, I guess I have to believe that He’s real, or I wouldn’t have prayed for five months. A month maybe out of desperation, but I prayed every day. I guess it’s the second one.”

Glen looked at his friend, asking as kindly as he could. “Then if you love your wife enough to be considering doing something that you said you’d never do, and your human, how can you believe God doesn’t care? An if He cares, don’t you think He cared about your Dad?”

Ralph was instantly angry, but Glen was his friend. He didn’t say anything, just stared at him. Glen stepped lightly with his next question, but it had to be asked. “Do you remember when I asked for your help with that old Ford I had? The one you called a disaster?”

Ralph softened just a little. “That thing was the worst car on the road. I told you to get rid of it the day the fuel pump went out, but you held on to the thing for ten years. I never could figure out why.”

Glen smiled. “Because it was the car we had when we brought Tom home from the hospital. It was a horrible car, but every time I got into it, I could smell the baby lotion from that first trip home. I just couldn’t walk away from it. Even though it made no sense to anyone else, it made sense to me.”

Ralph looked at his friend. “What’s your point? I’ve heard most of the arguments before from Leah. Unless you can give me something new, I’m not interested.”

Glen just laughed. “Time and season”. He motioned for Ralph to follow him to his studio, and bring the coffee. Glen grabbed his sketchbook and sketched a very rough outline, then started to paint. “Do me a favor Ralph, set there and let me paint you. I need an innkeeper.”

Ralph didn’t understand, but happy that the conversation had shifted, agreed. Being a smart man, he knew the conversation wasn’t over, but it was either fight with Glen or fight with Leah. Truth be told, Ralph was a little curious now at what Glen was up to.

When he was finished, about two hours later, Glen asked Ralph to look. “It’s not done yet, but you can see the general idea. Ralph expected a Manger scene, or the Wisemen traveling, or something, but short of Glen’s reference to the Innkeeper, he didn’t expect what he saw.

It was outside of the stable as day was just breaking, the innkeeper had come to the stable with a lantern in one hand, and some straw in the other. Full of his own interest, he seemed to have forgotten that he had let a very pregnant couple stay in his barn. All this was conveyed by the look on the innkeeper’s face, as his eyes met with the Baby in the manger.

Glen hadn’t defined the face of The Christ child, rather he had positioned him so that you would see the top of the manger, and the keyhole view of the innkeeper at the door. “The man was so busy with his own issues, he had missed something pretty important Ralph. The most important event in the history of the world, when God did something old and something new.”

“I’ve been so busy looking for a way to sketch Christmas, that I missed a lot. My guess is you have too. You see, when man sinned, God lost a family member too. He worked very hard to make a way to give everyone an opportunity to get back what they had lost. So much so, He became something He had never been to communicate with us.”

“God knows what loss is like, and how painful it is. When we pray, we want the answer to be exactly what we want, and sometimes it isn’t, but can I ask you a question? Did you ever think that God gave you those last few months with your Dad? Yes, it was hard for him, and for you, but wouldn’t have been a lot harder to loose him without the time?”

Ralph looked at his friend, looked at the inn keeper that was based on his own face, and the Manger. “I can’t see Him in your painting. I couldn’t see Him when I was fifteen, maybe I just wasn’t looking in the right direction. Still, I’m an old man now Glen. Why change now, and why wait til I am an old man to ask?”

Glen looked at him with a little friendly sarcasm. “Come on Ralph, how many years have we been friends? How many times have we talked about Church? It’s not that He hasn’t taken time to ask, it’s that you were a little too busy with the inn to listen.”

“What could one service hurt? Take a little time, enjoy the season, you might even enjoy the service. Plus, it’ll keep you out of trouble with Leah.”

Ralph agreed to think about it. “Now can we get back to the chess game? I was winning before you started you know.”

No, it wasn’t Earth shattering, and to be truthful it wasn’t the most powerful conversation Glen had ever had. It was a conversation between two friends, and one that Glen was hopeful he had said the right things in.

That night, in prayer at his desk, he was asking The Lord to forgive him if he had missed something, or left something out. He could hear that whisper again, this time with some Divine sarcasm thrown in. “Time and season. Do you think I sent the wrong man to talk to him after all these years? By the way, the paint will be dry in time.”

Glen smiled, and finished his prayer. The next day, he put the finishing touches on the painting. The night of the service, Mae presented it to Tom as a gift. He smiled, and quickly ask his Dad for an easel. They got to the house and back just in time. It was setting up on the platform when Ralph wheeled Leah through the door.

He shook hands with Glen, muttered something about laying it on thick, and sat down. The Christmas program went beautifully. Glen and Ralph were both surprised to learn Joseph’s brother little Ralph, was playing the innkeeper.

Ralph expected to squirm all the way through Tom’s Sermon when it was time for it. What he hadn’t expected was to actually like it. I think it was the beginning that grabbed him.

“Time and season. Christmas time is here, as the song says, but it comes this time every year. What makes it so special? What’s so wonderful about a season with giving, and business, and extra bills? I mean, every season has people who give in it. Every season is busy, and there are always plenty of bills.”

“What makes this time and season so special, let me answer it this way. For the same reason that you worked an extra shift when you were exhausted, or skipped lunch for a week to buy that new toy for your child. For your child, that’s why He did it, that’s why He came.”

“God came to Bethlehem, because He wanted a family, not a perfect family, but a family. A family that at times find themselves busy, and exhausted, and with issues. Jesus didn’t come to open a present Christmas Day, He came to give one every day, not just the good days, not just the happy ones.”

“Christ came to hold us when we cry. To help us with the pain of today, the hurt of yesterday, and to give us a better future. Jesus came to spend time with us, and to share every season of our lives, both the good, and the bad.”

Tom’s Sermon wasn’t long, but it was powerful. Ralph listened intently, as he stared at the face of the innkeeper. Glen had not been kind in his illustration, every wrinkle was there, every line. Yet, there was something on his face that had been missing from Ralph’s, the wonder of it all.

Tom’s alter call was awkward, or at least Ralph felt that way. Decades said to stay in his seat. He thought of every reason not to go, but none of them seemed good enough. When Ralph stepped to the Altar, Leah went with him, not that she had much choice, he pushed her down there in front of him, then knelt beside her. While he prayed, he felt a friend’s hand on his arm, and heard a familiar voice praying beside him.

A Christmas present doesn’t always arrive on Christmas Day, at times it may arrive later than you expect, and often it comes much sooner than December 25. Like the gifts we put together for our children, some things take time, but rest assured, Our Heavenly Father is putting things together for the right time, and a wonderful Christmas season.

iPainting Its Christmas Mr Polar

Christmas On Air

“You are listening to WVCS Radio on December 24, I’m Mike O you’re host to take you into Christmas. We’re here all night and into the next day folks. So let’s settle in with a little holiday tune about a snowman.” Mike flipped the switch, the music was on, and he was off.

His own words echoed through his head as the tears fell. It was the first time he would not be home for Christmas, but his parents understood. Mike was a college student eager to become the next Will Lindsay, and part of that meant paying your dues. This year he drew the short straw to man the station until they went off for Christmas.

That meant that a coast separated him from his family, and trying to fly home on Christmas Day was just too expensive. His Dad did his best to reassure him. “It’s okay Mikey, we can always fly you all home next week and celebrate then. You enjoy Christmas Day with Ann and her parents, everything will be okay son trust me.”

It didn’t help that he and Ann had a huge fight after the phone call that same night. The newly weds loved each other very much, but like most new couples, they were learning each other. Each said some harsh things for an argument that started about how to wrap a gift. Each knew it wasn’t about the gift, it was about a man who still wanted to be home for Christmas.

Mike was still so upset that he almost missed the light that indicated the song set was over, but caught it just in time. “Now dear listeners let’s have some call talk. Who’s up late wrapping those last minute gifts that might want to talk to a man trapped in a radio station without a Christmas tree?”

Ned was the first caller, and he had plenty to say for someone with nothing really to talk about. The last fifteen minutes of the thirty minute call we’re about his problems with tinsel. Finally Ned took a breath and Mike asked him if he had a final comment. It was Ned’s response that sent Mike even more on the path of a Blue Christmas.

“Just this, for all those who may be a little lonely this Christmas, I’ve been there, more than once. From a little war torn country far from home to a nice house with unexpected cancellations, I’ve been there, and I learned something. On the most unexpected types of Christmas, the most unexpected things happen.”

Mike couldn’t say anything, but this made him almost angry. Instead he thanked Ned and asked him to call back if anything unexpected happened this year. The next caller a nurse on a break at the hospital, Sally. She asked for him to play Go Tell It On The Mountain, and mentioned she was doing the overnight shift.

Mike felt bad for her. “I know it’s got to be hard to be away from family on Christmas. Is there anything else we can do to help pass the time?”

Sally laughed. “Thank you but it’s okay. We’ll have Christmas as soon as I get home with the sun coming up and I’ll catch up on sleep later. Christmas is too important to miss.”

With every call Mike got more sad, at least Henry broke the monotony. “I’m Henry, I’m eight and Mom says I can stay up on the count of my surgery in an hour. Some big fancy word for taking out something, could you read The Night Before Christmas?”

For a few minutes Mike forgot his troubles and gave Clement C Moore’s famous poem the best rendition he could. It made the little boy’s night and Mike found himself a little happier. On the next break he tried to call Ann but she didn’t answer. “She’s probably asleep.”

His sadness wasn’t completely back, but he wished he could have talked to her. The next caller got his attention pretty quick. “What’s up sport? I couldn’t sleep. I thought I’d check in, how’s it going?” It was his Dad Fred.

“Hey Dad! Folks this is my Dad Fred. We were supposed to go home this year but I had to work. How are you Dad?” Mike wanted to say so much but tried to sound professional, instead of a little boy missing his Dad.

“I’m okay, ate too much. Your Mom and I are trying some new foods this year. Maybe we’ll cook a few for you all when you’re in next. How you holding up, interesting calls?”

Mike was sure he said some form of yes, but not sure exactly how he said it. He was too thrilled to hear his Dad’s voice. His insomnia was legendary but tonight Mike was a little glad it had flared up again. They spent an hour talking about all kinds of things until his Dad started yawning.

“Dad, you better get some sleep. Mom would not like it if you fell asleep during one of her Christmas breakfasts. I’ll call tomorrow, I Love You Dad.” He didn’t care if anyone was awake to hear, he was up all night away from home, and he loved his Dad.

“I Love You too Sport. Listen hug Ann for us, and drink plenty of coffee to get through the next few hours. Merry Christmas son.”

Mike managed to keep his voice upbeat, but he was a mess. He did a round of songs to give him a little time to compose himself, and to try and call Ann again. There was still no answer.

Dr Hildy was the next caller on the line. “Hello my name is Aaron Hildy, I just finished with an emergency scheduled surgery. Could you play the Little Drummer Boy? Sort of a celebration, the boy made it through okay. It was a lot more serious than we knew going in.”

“Sure Doc, wait his name wasn’t Henry by chance was it? He called in a few hours ago. You sure he’s okay?”

“Yes, that’s Henry, and thankfully he’s okay. I just checked on him with his nurse. Sally says he’s resting, and so are his Mom and Dad. I think it’s the first sleep they’ve gotten in days.”

“Listen, about six am my girl’s shift is over, can you arrange for another song? It’s the one about Her being all I want for Christmas? She’s not listening right now, she’s the nurse I mentioned. It needs to be right at six because that’s when she’ll be in the lobby of the hospital. I’ve got something I want to give her, her and my parents will be there too.”

Mike smiled. “Sure Doc, as long as you promise to tape the proposal. Congratulations Doc, I’m married myself, it’s the best thing in the world. I love my Ann, some days are crazy, but we love being crazy together.” Mike hung up just as Carl McPherson the station manager walked in.

“Mike O’ Leary you’ve led a fairly interesting night. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything quite like it. Listen, it’s five am, if you can get a crew over to the hospital to cover that proposal, you can forget the next five hours. Can you do that?”

Mike didn’t even answer, he just started grabbing stuff. He made it in time to see the proposal. Sally said yes, her parents were so happy. So were Dr. Hildy’s parents, Ned and Sophia. It turned out to be the same Ned he had talked too earlier.

“Hello Mike, good meeting you in person. Good talking to you earlier too. Like I said unexpected things happen, on unexpected Christmases. I met Aaron’s Mom on one of those unexpected Christmas times.”

“As a matter of fact, he met Sally on one of his own unexpected Christmas seasons too. A Christmas he didn’t make it home for, extra shift at the hospital.”

“He told me on the phone the next day, about a girl he met who had started working there that same night. Just because they’re not perfect holidays doesn’t mean they’re not the perfect time for something wonderful. You look like you needed to be reminded of that yourself.”

Mike nodded, thanked Mr Hildy, and headed home. He had a large apology worked out to wake Ann with, but he didn’t expect this unexpected thing. She wasn’t there, he looked for a note, but didn’t see one. Mike sat down on the couch, the tears were back. “I didn’t expect this, not on Christmas Day.”

He whirled around as the door opened. Ann instantly saw him and hugged him. “Mike, honey I didn’t think you’d be home for hours. I had to meet some folks for breakfast while we waited on you. They’ll be in in a minute so there’s no time, but I’m sorry.”

Mike hugged and kissed her, whispered it was his fault and he was sorry too. They both laughed happily. He was just about to ask which girlfriends she went to breakfast with when he heard a voice from behind.

“You’ll break her ribs Sport holding her that tight. You better hug your Mother first, but I’m next. Merry Christmas Mike!!! You didn’t think I hung up because I was tired did you?”

“I had to wake your Momma up to help get me un-lost. I missed a turn on a turnpike about twenty minutes before we were off the cell phone. She was mad, she said Fred O’ Leary if you cause me to miss my son on Christmas, I’ll never let you forget it!”

Kelly playfully slapped her husband’s arm. “I was joking. We’d never miss your Christmas honey, even if it means driving halfway across the country with your Dad. He speeds you know. Now give me that hug!”

Mike readily complied, and this time, the tears were happy tears. All was right with his world, on this most unexpected of Christmases. They had breakfast, opened presents, and started a Christmas movie. Mike didn’t make it past the first twenty minutes. Ann kissed his forehead. “Get some sleep Mr Deejay, ladies and gentlemen that was Mike O signing off, Merry Christmas!!!”

iPainting Merry Christmas From Nashville

Not being musical myself, we watched CMA Christmas tonight and I thought this was an appropriate way to end the night lol.

A iPainting Christmas Snowglobe