Monday, September 24, 2007

Gothic Arch Challenge ~Fall~


This week's Gothic Arch Challenge is Fall. Fall for me is always a mix of devastating beauty and devastating loss.
9 years ago today, Sep. 26th, 1998, my first husband died. God supplied me with all the strength, comfort and peace I needed to continue on and take care of my 2 month old son and 4 and 5 year old daughters. A few years later God would provide a kind, Christian husband and father for us who accepts my children as his own.
Shortly after Ken died, this song came to me. I had never done poetry or songwriting before and haven't since. It's a special praise song, inspired by the Holy Spirit, praising God for holding me in his caring hands. I can't sing it for you( you should all be glad for that!) but here are the words:

In my darkest hour you came
In the midst of all of my pain
I was down on my knees without a prayer
but through my tears of anguish
I felt your presence there.

You are the peace that passes understanding
When I don't know how I'm standing
the light that guides me through the darkest days
You are the love that surrounds me
the power that holds me
You embrace me with such gentle care.

Now I know whatever may come
By the sacrifice of your only son
I can come to you and see your face
You fill me up inside with such amazing grace
YOU FILL ME UP INSIDE WITH SUCH AMAZING GRACE!!!!!!!

Which brings me to the inspirational prompt for week 10 for my Yahoo! Group Art in the Word.
Phillippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Notes from my bible: God's peace is different from the world's peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have vicotry over sin. Let God' peace guard your heart against anxiety.

When Ken died, I received so many comments about how stong I was. I would tell them, that I am NOT strong, but MY FATHER is! AMEN! God comforted me with an overwhelming sense of peace during that time - a time when those who aren't in a relationship with God often are devasted, crushed, anxious and give up hope. For the first time in my life, I truly knew the meaning of "the peace that passes understanding"!

May the reading of God's word bless you with peace this coming week.Lennea

12 comments:

Hermine said...

Gorgeuos, love all the details.

Barbara said...

Such a lovely arch, different and really pretty.

Dymphie said...

Wonderful. Very nice accents!

Sija said...

Wonderful, love the details.

Unknown said...

Thanks for inviting me! I would absolutely LOVE to join. Please email me a link, I couldn't find it on yahoogroups. Thanks! abcbooksbyann@comcast.net

Gillian .... said...

This is gorgeous, love how you have summed up Autumn:)

Yitte said...

Beautiful, love every detail.

Linda M said...

Lennea, this is an excellent piece--so much rich texture and such a melancholy feeling that does go with fall. Beautiful piece. Did you have a scripture in mind while doing it? You are so good that way.

Vintage Papers said...

gorgeous design and textures!

Pamela Chiasson said...

Your piece is beautiful but the "Peace" you write about is every so powerful and I thank you for the reminder that peace is not a feeling but a truth, a knowing that God is in control and one that can settle our every so twirling minds. Guard our hearts from anxiety. Thank you for your words ~Pam

thimbles bobbins paper and ink said...

Absolutely beautiful!!

Planète said...

beautiful ! very different