The Maku'u Point Story
I live on the youngest of the Hawaii Islands. We have multiple live volcano’s including one that erupted nearby in 2018. That may sound daunting, but to be honest, I find it touches my heart to stand on some of the most recently created land in the world.
I love the lava fields, whether it’s near Kileaua, or in Kalapana, or even the older cliffs near my home. They tell me stories of destruction leading to new life. They make me feel close to The Creator who is continuing to form and design this gorgeous island.
This painting is of a very beloved spot I go to regularly, with very special meaning to me.
- the rest of the story -
Off to the right, just out of sight and not shown in the painting, is a bench someone built. It changes color occasionally as locals spruce it up from time to time. When you sit on that bench, you look out to sea with this tree directly in view.
The first year we moved here, that became a very special spot to me. It was a place, that I sat alone, most Sunday afternoons, eating a musubi or a bento lunch I had picked up at a local grocery store after church.
I was sad. Our move here had been for my health and my husband and I held a deep hope we would once again be able to attend church together after many long years of being unable to.
But, while I enjoyed the health and beauty of the island, he was stuck inside a department store, working most Sundays. He was sad.
As I sat on this bench eating my lunch alone, I looked out at those beautiful blue endlessly rolling waves and I was reminded of how constant God’s love is. And then my gaze turned to the lava. How could a jungle island grow on these huge slabs of broken and cracked lava? I was reminded that life can, and does, spring out of hard barren places - both literally and figuratively.
And then my eyes, traced the roots of the tree. And I thought about the storms, and hurricanes that had hit the coast in recent years… and still that tree has clung to its spot on the edge of the ocean. I was reminded that good, strong, roots of faith had helped me hang on through many pounding storms in my life, and would help me hold on, now and in the future.
All of us are guilty of putting our hope in a change of circumstances. I certainly was. But life is unpredictable, and our circumstances uncontrollable. In this spot, week after week, I was reminded that my hope wasn’t in fulfilling my dreams.
My hope was already being fulfilled through my faith in Jesus. He gave me love as constant as the waves. He gave me strength that helped me grow in my darkest times, and hang on through the storms. My hope has been fulfilled. I am loved. I am strong. And I am not alone.
Things in life don’t always go according to plan. We all need reassurance and hope at certain times in our lives. Are you at that point right now? Let me reassure you… if you put your hope in Jesus, you will not be disappointed. His love continues, wave after wave. He brings life into dark and barren places. And he is the strength we need to weather the storms of life. I have seen these truths with my own eyes.
I am happy to share my spot of reassurance and my hope in Jesus with you today and I pray that when you come across someone facing difficult or dark times, that you can share this hope with them.
Did this story lift your heart?
If you’d like to share with me how this artwork and story has impacted you, you can use my contact form here. I’d love to hear from you.
The original of "Maku'u Point" is held in a private collection but prints are available at my artist website.
© 2024 Melanie Pruitt