"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

4.28.2011

Paid


I wanted to wait to get a better photo of this (this is from Meg's phone) before I posted it, but because of the early arrival of Jack it's still at church. I was asked to paint over my Lenten painting for Good Friday. I painted a cross across the painting to begin with. Then Matthew (our pastor) invited everyone to come up and place their (red painted) hands on the cross and painting. There were basins of water for participants to wash their hands...even the red water spoke volumes. It was a powerful interactive thing to do. Even brushing the paint on their hands was emotional for me.  

I pray that I never take for granted God's sacrifice...that this story never becomes commonplace because I hear it often...I pray that it is real and fresh every time.  Lord, may it change the way I live my life.

18 comments:

Anita said...

This painting is so powerful...This type of acknowledgement is such a great reminder...something tangible to awaken the truth in our deep...I love this

Joji said...

Powerful is the word to describe this. It sends chills through me.

Valerie said...

Mary, You have an amazing way of driving truth home to the heart that is powerful, emotional, with beautiful simplicity.

Jo Reimer said...

What a wonderfully powerful experience, both for you and for the entire congregation who took part. We all know that Jesus paid the price but to see a visual representation of our bloody hands on and around his cross brings it home.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

This would have been one of those defining moments, you know you are taking part in something that is transcendent. The end result is a beautiful, emotionally charged piece.

Deb said...

This brings to mind the Catholic tradition of 'veneration of the cross' on Good Friday where the participants are invited to come forward and touch or kiss the feet of Jesus on the crucifixion. What a beautiful-inspired idea your pastor had. I think your photo is amazing...and what a record of the event!

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Oh my! That painting is very powerful and beautiful. That is so awesome how everyone participated and added their blood/red hand. Wow! That moment had to be amazing and humbling for everyone involved. It is my prayer also that I never take for granted what Christ did for me and still does.

♥Lee Ann

Buffy said...

Wow!!! How emotionable! Such a beautiful thing to do. I got the goosebumps reading about it.

Unknown said...

WoW Mary...thats great.

Me and Bis said...

Yes, VERY POWERFUL. I love this painting. Love how everyone participated with the red-painted hands. So moving! I pray that I will never take it for granted as well.

katie purcell said...

POWERFUL IS DEFINITELY THE WORD.
NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET THEIR EXPERIENCE FROM THE INTERACTIVE PART....AND PRAYING NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET HIS REDEEMING WORK FOR OUR SALVATION. THANK YOU MARY FOR SHARING.
HOW ARE YOU FEELING TODAY?

Unknown said...

This completely gave me chills! What a wonderful experience. Thanks so much for sharing Mary!

Just Be Real said...

Appreciate you sharing something awesome. Blessings.

Unknown said...

My heart skipped a beat as I read this, I can only imagine what you were feeling as one after another came to add their red *symbolic* hands to your painting...talk about goosebumps..Thank you so much for sharing this with us...Awesome~~~
love you so sister!!!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Beautiful!!! Yes may I never take it for granted either.

Unknown said...

Amen and Amen..aloha, Connie
What an awesome idea...

Anonymous said...

What an awesome idea for Good Friday! Amen!

:)) ...Вика said...

Hello Mary!
Very glad to find your blog. And so I'm happy that you visit my page. I exieted of you works.
My dream is to learn do such art.
And also I like that you're believer!
May God bless you so much.
Vika