applied for four art shows got into one

The life of an artist can be very discouraging if you let it. I wish success to all artists good or bad especially if you love doing it. Every one should be able to do what they love to do, if it were so, I think their would be less violence, hatred, and stress. I love painting, some days I can only paint for a couple of hours, other days I could paint and not eat or sleep. Currently I am reading "The Art Spirit" by Robert Henri. I love the book, great in sites on how to paint and what to paint. I agree with him stating that awards and juried competitions should not exists because then that gives the artist a false view of what the public wants. Competitions are usually juried by older more established artists, along with all their baggage and biasses. I applied for 4 art shows last month from around the country, I received 3 no's and one yes. This tells me that outside the state of Utah (which is really not saying much when it comes to an art market, except that Utah wants cheep art generally speaking) I have a small chance of success. The problem is I don't believe that at all, I know that when I get into other art markets I will be successful..... what ever that means. lol.
Success to me means to provide for my family by creating the best artwork I possibly can. My only question is: Will my paintings provide for my family or will teaching? I am a firm believer in God. I love him and I know he loves me, currently he isn't telling me which direction I should take to provide for my family. He had no problem telling me to apply to the University of Utah's Master program, amazingly enough I got in. But now he is silent which I am ok with, but this is my thought process. If God lets me know that I should paint to provide for my family everything will always end up the way he wants for my family. If he says he wants me to teach at a college, everything will work out. (Faith is awesome, I love trying it and learning from it) But he is silent so I guess I get to choose, the only problem is that I trust God more than myself so I am taking that leap of faith.
In a way I guess you could say I made a deal with God (one sided of coarse because he isn't telling me anything). But I believe he will follow though, sometimes we need to just work like it all counts on us when in reality, it was Gods desire for us to do what we are doing in that moment. Here it is: I will paint and provide for my family to the best of my ability until March of 2009. If we make close to or round about 30000 by that time I will continue to paint and provide for my family. If we do not make that much then I will look for a full time job to provide. My wife is up for it so it is a go. So pray for me if you want me to continue to paint full time.
Some other good news. I got into the Rive Gauche Gallery in Scottsdale Arizona. Fredric is an amazing man, a great head on his shoulders with a great desire to make his gallery and artists successful. The peak season is starting in a couple of months and ends in about March so we will see how well things go for me in this new location. Because of this tidbit of a recession sales should be a little down which kind of helps with the knowing if God is on my side with providing. If it is harder to sell I will need a miracle to get the amount I am asking for, but miracles happen every day so I am looking forward to it. Besides that have a great day and please post your thoughts. Thanks.