Stand, Painted Papers Collage, Marcia Carole
Sometimes, life in soggy Seattle feels like a house swamped in a storm. Well, come to think of it, rain or shine, life with chronic illness or suffering sometimes seems like a swamped house. Will you have the energy to go there? What are the doctors saying you can do? Do you really feel up to doing that? When is your next CAT scan?
The rain fell steadily last night, but there are reports that there will be a sun sighting this afternoon. I think the forecasters here just say the sun may come out soon to keep people from jumping off the floating bridges across Lake Washington.
Rain falls. I sort through painted papers to try to make a collage with as few painted papers as possible after seeing two artist friends, Marge and Gerda, make compositions/landscapes with 2 pieces of paper. I find a “sky” piece that looks like rain. The texture is created with carpet scraps. Then, I see a piece of paper that has the same colors, but the paint has flowed very differently. Suddenly, I see a rainy seascape developing. I decide to add a simple house to represent life.
That little house is still standing in the drenching rain, soaked in pools of water. It reminds me of verses and the concept of “standing” from the Bible. The concept of standing in faith and trust in God even when there is a battle, a storm or persecution, is found throughout the Bible. “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.” is one verse in the book of Proverbs celebrating standing.
“Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you…” is one I remember often. Right now, the position I am “taking up” is right here in my art studio with piles of painted papers, watercolor paper, or when I grab the umbrella and walk the 3.76 in my neighborhood. Standing up to cancer. Rain or shine. (But mostly rain.)
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”
2 Chronicles 20:16-18
