Creating "Unbridled Expectations"

A reflection on surrender, art, and abiding in Christ

There’s a reason I named this piece "Unbridled Expectations":

It came from that tug-of-war I’ve been feeling lately—the kind where you pour your heart into something, hoping it’ll go a certain way, only to realize God is asking you to let go. To release control. To trust Him with the outcome, not your timeline.

The painting itself is part of my Ash & Essence collection, where I explore black-and-white tones, stark contrasts, and the tension between what is and what could be. It’s a quiet piece, but a strong one.

The title touches on how we sometimes run wild with hopes or assumptions—only to find out that surrendering those expectations is where real peace begins.

Lately, I’ve been feeling this especially in how I show up as an artist—on social media, in my process, and even in the way I pray. There’s always this temptation to chase momentum, to build something fast, to “get results.” But I’m learning (slowly) that fruit doesn’t come from running ahead—it comes from abiding.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
— John 15:5

That verse has been sitting with me while I work. It’s shaping how I think about art. About growth. About peace.

Because "Unbridled Expectations" is really about learning to walk with open hands.

Whether it’s art, parenting, marriage, faith, or something else entirely, I think we all know what it’s like to dream big and then have to lay those dreams down. But surrender doesn’t mean giving up.

It means giving back—to the One who knows what to do with it.