"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.

2.13.2012

Happy Valentine's Day

work in progress

The King Who Loved a Humble Maiden

Here is Soren Kierkegaard's version of this story:

Suppose there was a king who loved a humble maiden. The king was like no other king. No one dared breathe a word against him, for he had the strength to crush all opponents. And yet this mighty king was melted by love for a humble maiden. How could he declare his love for her? In an odd sort of way, his kinglines tied his hands. If he brought her to the palace and crowned her head with jewels and clothed her body in royal robes, she would surely not resist-no one dared resist him. But would she love him?

She would say she loved him, of course, but would she truly? Or would she live with him in fear, nursing a private grief to the life she had left behind? Would she be happy at his side? How could he know? If he rode to her forest cottage in his royal carriage, with an armed escort waving bright banners, that too would overwhelm her. He did not want a cringing subject. He wanted a lover, an equal. He wanted her to forget that he was a king and she a humble maiden and to let shared love cross the gulf between them. For it is only in love that the unequal can be made equal.(as quoted in Disappointment with God)

The king clothes himself as a beggar and renounces his throne in order to win her hand. The Incarnation, the life and the death of Jesus, answers once and for all the question, "What is God's heart toward me?" This is why Paul says in Romans 5, "Look here, at the Cross. Here is the demonstration of God's heart. At the point of our deepest betrayal, when we had run our farthest from him and gotten so lost in the woods we could never find our way home, God came and died to rescue us."

The Sacred Romance, 80-81 by John Eldredge

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow Mary!! So very incredibly beautiful!! You always inspire me!

Nancy said...

An incredible story of true love....To think He would leave His kingdom and lower Himself to a servant in order that we might live with Him forever....The song "Amazing Love" comes to my mind....how can it be...only through his amazing love.
I love your painting you have started....your favorite subject..hearts which by the way, you my friend, have a huge and beautiful heart....

I hope your Valentine's Day is full of love and kisses...

Love you,
Nanie

amylynne said...

Love that book!! Thanks for sharing the excerpt!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Wow! That is a beautiful work in progress Mary! Love it! :)

Anonymous said...

Amazing heart.. Amazing love......Amazing story..
His Grace..
♥ Darlene

thekathrynwheel said...

Love love love the beginnings of your painting, it's so 'you'! X

Montgomery Family said...

Happy valentines day, Mary!! Sending love and hugs to you, my friend!! I am in love with your painting!! It's beautiful!!

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Wow! Love this new canvas you're working on, great colours and tones going on, the play of light at the bottom is wonderful. So glad to see you working on a big canvas again

Alexandriaweb said...

That's lovely, Happy Valentines :)

katie purcell said...

Love this soooooo much.
Happy Valentines to someone who makes my heart happy.
One day I want to come paint a big canvas with you.
xxoo

Jen @Sadie Inspired said...

So, SO beautiful!! Have a wonderful, blessed Valentine's Day!

S. Etole said...

Thank you for sharing this, Mary. I hope you have had a blessed Valentine's day.

espenavarro said...

<hola soy tu nueva seguidora, me ha sorprendido tu bonito corazón!
saludos desde ESpaña

Jennifer Richardson said...

breathtakingly beautiful
....your art
and this story paints so well
the heart of our Love.
BIG love and thanks
for sharing,
Jen

Anonymous said...

Your painting is SO powerful...such gorgeous COLOR!

Unknown said...

Mary thanks for sharing this post, it's awesome!!! I love you so sis...hugs!

Flor Larios Art said...

Beautiful art! Full of love and vibrant colors!
btw Love you header!

laurel said...

Beautiful heart art and I love the message you included.