Due to time constraints and circumstances in this season of my life, it has become difficult to continue writing and posting on this 3 days format. After discussion with some friends, I have decided to return to the three days per week and repost some stories that have been written over the last two-and-a-half years. After taking a week or so off, I will intermingle these older posts with new stories. (There are already several started.)
If you have favorites that you would like to see again, please let me know!
So today, please enjoy the story that started it all.
Put Your Life in the Painting
Hanging in my den is a painting we have always referred to
as “the praying mountain”. It is a scene with a small cottage by a
stream. Giant mountains fill the distance. The way the center
mountain’s peaks are formed gives the appearance of two hands brought together
in prayer. Even in its immense beauty, this mighty mountain seems to
realize a need to reach to the creator.
Looking at the painting, the central mountain draws your
attention. The praying peaks stand against a blue sky and two more
distant mountains. Together they cover the top half of the canvas. They
are majestic and captivating. Yet, despite their immenseness, this
central mountain portrays a distinct sense of great power under
submission. This has always been a comfort and a blessing to me.
This painting had hung in a common room at the nursing home
where my grandmother spent her final years in. Since it had always
been grandma’s favorite painting, my mother purchased it after grandma’s
death. It was displayed in her living room as a remembrance not only
of Grandma, but also of God’s faithfulness to answer prayers.
Years later, when Mom moved in with my family, the painting
came to my home with her. It has hung on different walls in my den.
The quiet beauty has been a part of the room that is the center of our family’s
life. Mom has gone on to be with the Lord now. The painting remains
a reminder of the women who trusted God with their prayers and the God who is
trustworthy.
One day, as I looked up from my favorite corner of the
couch, I once again pondered the mountains. Then I allowed my eyes to
drift downward to the cozy scene below. I spent some time looking at
the outline of the tiny cottage, imagining the interior and a family that would
reside there. I followed the flow of the stream into the woods,
where I dreamed the father was out hunting for the evening dinner. I
‘saw’ a young, barefoot boy hurrying through breakfast so he could grab the
fishing pole in the corner. He longed to get to the stream before all the fish
swam away. Mom was futilely attempting to wipe oatmeal from the face
and hands of her squirmy, toddler daughter, who was desperately trying to bolt
from the highchair to follow her brother to the “fissies.” I could
almost smell the aroma of dough rising on the sideboard mixed with the
lingering scents of bacon and eggs from breakfast.
As you can probably tell, I spent some time musing on a
life that painting may contain. I wondered why I seldom took time to
look beneath those mountains to the life below. I then felt the Lord
encouraging me that my life was also placed beneath a mighty covering of
prayer. My life goes on day by day, but there in the distance is that
mighty, immovable power of prayer.
Sometimes I can focus only on the prayers I pray for my
family and friends. I ask the Father for the things that my family
needs. I even seek his guidance in the directions. But If I fix
my eyes only on my praying, I can forget the great covering over my daily
life. I can forget that God has and does call people to pray for me,
sometimes before I even know I need it. But worst of all, I can
forget the one who sits at the right hand of the father constantly interceding
for me. When you compare my little prayers to his, it is almost
laughable.
The word has some great promises for us. God
reveals himself as El Shaddai, the God who is more than enough. Jesus was
raised from the dead and sat down at the right hand of the father, where he
intercedes day and night. (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, 1 John 2:1) The
Holy Spirit is the advocate and intercessor promised by Jesus. (John
14-16) How much more majestic can a covering of prayer and
protection be?
In addition to all this, we have “so great a cloud of
witnesses” cheering us on from the heavenly realm, as we run our
race. (Hebrews 12:1-3) We
also have the prayers of the saints here on earth, joining with us as we stand
united to serve him. I get excited just thinking about these
promises. I have to stop for a moment and thank God for it
all. Then I realize thanksgiving is probably the most powerful
prayer I can pray.
So what about you? Can you picture my painting
with the mighty mountain posed in prayer dominating the scene? Put your
life in this painting. The imaginary family in the cottage lives its
lives always aware of that majestic mountain. You can also live your life
gratefully aware of a great, powerful, prayer covering. Take comfort in
living your daily life, knowing that prayer covers you. Live in the
constant shadow of a powerful God who cares for every detail of your life.
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