Bent But Still Standing

Iblubbered all the way through church this morning.

It was just one of those mornings where everything I saw and heard hit me like an emotional ton of bricks.

 The first thing to whack me up side the heart was my husband mentioning to someone that a man was present in the service who had "been there" when both his mom and dad died.

Been there to minister to his dad when he had a stroke while on a ladder at the church changing out light bulbs in the sanctuary--been the one to call him when his mom had passed and we were living in another state many years ago.

It took me back to nine wonderful years we spent at Baring Cross Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Old friends, old family, old and now once again fresh pain--

But the kind of fresh pain that is almost beautiful to experience--you know, the kind where the happiness THEN is part of the pain NOW--(from the C.S. Lewis movie, Shadowlands)

The next thing to touch me deeply was a sweet little couple sitting in front of us.  I would guess they were in the vicinity of 85 years of age.

For a couple of years now, it has been very hard for me to stand during praise and worship time at church--and impossible for me to kneel after having a knee replacement four years ago.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not griping about it--just letting you know where I am coming from--I realize I have it 'very good' and there are many, many people with way worse physical problems than I have.

However, I think where I am in this physical challenge was one of the things that made me super sensitive to the sight in front of me.

The sweet little bowed up man came in on a walker--took some time to get in the pew and get seated. Just about the time he did, the music director motioned for the congregation to stand to sing.

Now I was sure that little old man would remain seated, just as I have, for the last couple of years--at least for most of the song service.

But you know what, he threw me a curve ball--Sure as I'm living and breathing in that pew behind him, he leaned over to grab the pew in front of him and strained with all his might to pull himself up to stand.

He was not a big man to begin with and with the age and bone disease that made him somewhat hunkered, he was very small--but in my eyes he couldn't have been any taller if he had been Shaquille O'Neal.

All the while, his sweet little wife who was somewhat feeble herself, was trying to help lift him up.

And it didn't stop there, all through the service, she kept patting him and looking over to check on him to see how he was doing even after they had sat back down.

There was more emotion than I could handle and I was taking deep breaths to keep from just doing the real ugly cry.

Two things stood out in my mind--the compassion she had for him--definitely Jesus' compassion--it was written all over her.

AND, the fact that even though it took major effort, he stood up for Jesus.

Am I ready to stand up for Jesus no matter what the cost, no matter what the effort? Even though I am bent at times, will I break, or will I keep standing?

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

Fellowship Art Show

Fellowship Art Show is coming up soon. The theme is 'Saving Peter--a broken life restored--'

The entries accepted will be taken to the church tomorrow afternoon and will be hung next week getting ready for the showing which runs June 5-13.  This is one of two of my entries that was accepted--a 30" x 40" canvas done in acrylics entitled 'Living Water.'

This is such a fun and inspirational art show--there are three categories of entries--
ProfessionalArtists' CommunityStudent Work
There are oils, acrylics, watercolors, digital works, photography, sculptures--so much beauty for the eye to behold.  And to have it to connect to a biblical theme can be very emotional and life-changing.
We had to turn in an artists' inspiration statement to accompany our art.  It had to be fairly brief since it will hang beside the piece.  I am posting mine below.

This seascape is meant to be representational of the relationship between Peter and Jesus and us--the darker part of the waves to remind us of our humanity--the doubts, fears, denials and betrayals we exhibit--much like Peter--The white caps and ocean spray to symbolize the joyful life of redemption that comes by a hand reaching down to save us--much like Peter was saved by Christ.

A few years ago I wrote this poem about Peter--from Peter's eyes--

When did I fall so badly--
Did it start when my trust failed?

When He told me to come to him 

on ripples of liquid glass,

Glass that shattered and broke 
beneath my feet as I glanced down?

When did I fall so badly

Was it when He found us sleeping--

Not keeping watch as He asked?

I thought I would go to the grave with Him,

And then, just as He said, I denied Him thrice

Before the rooster crowed even once.

A lonelier, more haunting sound I've never heard

than that of the cock crowing--

Announcing the dawn of a new day.

As it brought good news to some,

Dread invaded my anguished thoughts--

How could I face the day filled with this dark knowledge?
Knowledge that I had denied, had lied, 

had cursed the One I loved so much--

The one for whom I left home, family and my life's work. 

It had come to this--

When faced with the question of knowing Jesus,

I crumpled in fear and self-love.

And I wonder..............

When Jesus, burdened with the sin of the world,

went to the garden to pray,

And returned not once, not twice,

but three times and found us sleeping . . . . 

If I had been praying then

Would I have denied Him a trio of times later?

While looking down at shadowy mirrored depths 
my faith had faltered,

While looking up at a heart broken 
from carrying the weight of my darkness,

My faith was quickened and I knew....

Knew that there would be another day with Him,

A day when all He had taught us 

would come true,

A day He would ask me, 
not once, not twice, but three times--

"Peter, do you love me?"

A day I would have the chance to say 
not once, not twice, but three times--

"Yes, Master, You know I do."
____________

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2014

A Fight With Cancer and God's Provision

Here is a link to my daughter-in-law's testimony from last year. I hope it blesses you. She is the Children's Director at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

More Peonies and Some Calligraphy

More peonies--I can't get enough of them. I think they are my very favorite flower.

Our world is marred by trouble at every turn it seems but it is still a beautiful and wonderful one.  Help me look for the beauty today.

This is a piece I started this past weekend at a Julie Wildman workshop.  I finished it on Monday of this week.

We were supposed to bring quotes that we wanted to calligraph but as I walked in and heard this song playing, I knew I wanted to illustrate it.  I used watercolor inks, walnut ink, PearlEx powdered pigments, gesso and a parallel pen.

The verse I have on my heart today is Psalm 143:8--

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love........

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2015

Wow! I don't know where the time goes. Can't believe it has been so long since I posted. My heart wants to post--just can't seem to get my act together.

But our peonies came out today and they are so, so pretty. I just had to share one with you. 

Hope you love it and hope your Tuesday and the rest of the week is really good.

 The scripture on my mind today is--Better is one day in Your courts, Lord, than a thousand elsewhere.

© ALL ART, PHOTOGRAPHS AND TEXT PROPERTY OF ELIZABETH DIANNE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2008-2014