"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." — Philippians 1:6
It’s not finished until—well—it’s actually finished. And until then, any creative project that is “in process” can feel messy.
If you are one of my painting, graphic design, photography, or yearbook students, you know that most of the year is spent working in that messy middle space.
The beginning of a project is exciting and full of possibility—the thrill of new ideas and the hope of what could be. The end brings a sense of relief, accomplishment, and maybe even a little “thank goodness that’s done.”
But the middle? The middle is full of doubt, uncertainty, trial and error, risk, and the very real possibility of failure. It’s uncomfortable to live and work in that frustrating middle stage. But that’s exactly where growth happens. That’s where risks are taken, where uncertainty leads to discovery, and where all of the mess adds up to real confidence.
In the messy middle, there isn’t one right answer or one clear path forward. Choices must be made. Conversations take place. Sometimes those conversations are difficult, especially when students are frustrated with the process, with themselves, or even with me—for pushing them to persevere and problem-solve one step at a time.
As a teacher, the messy middle is my favorite place to teach, encourage, and walk alongside students as their projects—and they themselves—begin to take shape.
During the Fine Arts Festival, as I stood among the students’ finished projects and watched the crowd interact with their work, I was so proud. But more than that, I felt deeply grateful. I was the one who knew what each student had to go through to finish. I knew the time invested, and sometimes the tears. I knew the doubt and the uncertainty.
My position gives me a front-row seat to the messy middle—where students are not just learning artistic techniques but also figuring out who they are as people, as creatives, and as God’s handiwork.
What a privilege. What a blessing to witness.
Aren’t we all living in the messy middle? God is still at work in us. Our stories are unfinished, and we are still learning and growing. We doubt. We question. We get frustrated with the unknowns.
But Paul reminds us in Philippians 1:6:
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
We know the end of the story.
The messy middle is where trust is built—through our relationship with God and with one another.
Dani Kiefer, Visual Art Teacher
Teaching the absolute BEST students in painting, drawing, photography, graphic design and journalism classes in the fine arts department.