I would not call myself a country music fan but I did watch the CMA Christmas special this week and I loved the music! I especially love the song, Mary, Did You Know? The group who sang did a wonderful job, however, my favorite version is by Pentatonix. They are an American a cappella group. Not to sound too "out there" but many times paintings appear to me in dreams and I woke up yesterday with the idea of an angel asking Mary those questions. This is my impressionistic interpretation of that encounter. I have included the words of the song here and the link to the song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE
Mary, Did You Know?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.
Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God
Mary did you know, Mary did you know, Mary did you know
The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM
Mary did you know, Mary did you know, Mary did you know
Songwriters: Lamont Savory/Buddy Greene/Mark Lowry/ Courick Clarke/ William Barclay/Wayne Buchanan
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God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways. With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone. (Psalm 91:4-6, 11-12)
I love it when people have great ideas for paintings, especially ideas that I would not have come up with. This painting of cotton fields is 40" x 40" - a large gallery wrapped canvas so the sides are 4" and painted. I have never purchased from this canvas company before and I love the canvas. I wanted to see how it would look above my fireplace and I found I love it.
I love roosters, the attitude, the colors and the tail feathers. I could not help myself naming one "Yes, Honey"----sometimes the hen lets the rooster strut.
I am so honored when a friend has purchased several paintings from me ----thank you Libbie.
This past weekend I attended a "Silent Retreat" at St. Ignatius House in Atlanta Georgia. A silent retreat is for the purpose of reflection and drawing close to God. I know those of you who know me will not believe I could be silent for 3 days but I attended partly because one of my friends, Paula D'Arcy, who is a writer and retreat leader was the leader of the event. Paula is an exceptional human being. I met Paula almost 30 years ago at a retreat with Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking. I had lost a little girl 8 years before and I was so touched by her story of healing and hope after the loss of her husband and young daughter to an accident caused by a drunk driver. For about 10 years, I organized women's retreats and Paula was the speaker. She continues to speak, write and touch lives everywhere she goes.
One of the stories she told this weekend was about a friend who attended an ALAnon meeting ( a support meeting for those who are affected by someone who is an alcoholic or addict). The friend stated that the speaker was wonderful and gave so much hope. When the friend attended the next week there was another speaker but the one from the previous week was a wreck! She was crying and needing encouragement from the group. The friend asked someone in the group, "what is the deal? Last week she was so positive." The member answered, "We take turns." In other words, we all have "turns" at pain in life. This week it might be your turn to be betrayed, broken, hurt, widowed, sick, depressed or whatever. Through your own experience you can choose despair or a deeper healing. If you choose the healing then it might your time to "hold the light" for someone else because we all take turns.
This little angel is "holding the light" for whoever needs it today.
