More Than Material Art Show Virtual Tour

"The Father's Compassion" by Merritt Hutton
Guitar and vocals

Artist Statement

Hello I am Merritt Hutton! I go to Sauk Rapids-Rice high school ( 11th grade ) and I am 17. My piece is called The Fathers Compassion using my lovely guitar! My mentor was Aaron Sutton ( he’s the best. )

So… My piece is a representation of my wrestling with hard and good, joy and anxiety. All the time I have realized I wanted to be loved, but like relational love with someone or some people. I knew that would come eventually. But, the day I dropped all of my hurt, pain and anxiety, was one of the best nights of my life. That very night at my youth group retreat I had been wrestling with a thought of I would never be enough without a partner of some kind. Then I gave it up during a worship song ( I unfortunately don’t remember which one ). But then the biggest recent miracle came up and totally presented itself… a good friend ( will not say a name ) came and gave me comfort and it was a guy. Yes, it had been the thing I had been struggling with, my guy relationships had been very shaky. That one person struck some reality into my life that I can just be friends with guys and that's all it needs to be until God's perfect timing.

My relationship with the God we serve got strengthened so much that night and I was relieved of the guilt of hurting those I care about male or female. But now, because of that encounter and so many others I can finally say I might not be done looking for that kind of relationship ( aka a dating relationship ) yet but that I have a grip on my emotions, mostly. And I say that because that could and will always be a struggle but I know God’s got me and I don't have to feel guilty anymore.

I want to thank all of my family, friends, and mentors in my life who push me and guide me toward Jesus!

Signing off,
Merritt

Oral Statement