Hello ,

When French impressionist painter Auguste Renoir was confined to his home during the last decade of his life, Henri Matisse was nearly 28 years younger than him. The two great artists were dear friends and frequent companions. Matisse visited him daily. 

Renoir, almost paralyzed by arthritis, continued to paint in spite of his infirmities. He had to hold his brush between his thumb and index finger. As he painted, students often heard him crying out in pain.

One day as Matisse watched the elder painter work in his studio, fighting torturous pain with each brush stroke, he blurted out, “Auguste, why do you continue to paint when you are in such agony?” 

Renoir said the following: “The pain passes but the beauty remains.”

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.  

Ps. 30:5

What you're currently going through may be incredibly challenging, but God doesn't waste a tear, and there's not a struggle that you encounter that escapes His watchful eyes. Better, eternal days are still ahead. 

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word