Monday, February 15, 2010

Station Number Eight


Last year I made a giant teardrop that has all these layers and fasteners and textured fabrics because God told me to do it. Really. I am not kidding. In church one Sunday, Aaron Burt, one of our priests, asked for artists to sign up to make the different Stations of the Cross. He then explained that the works would be put on display for Good Friday. I had to fight the urge to stand up in the middle of the congregation with my hand raised high, going, " Ooh, me! Ooh, ooh, pick me!" Now, I will admit that I can be a bit of a joiner and I tend to over commit myself, but my sewing to this point had been considered by me to be a craft/ hobby. Not art. So I really had no clue why I was signing up for this and why I was so excited about it. I ended up with station #8. For the next 40 or so days I obsessed about my teardrop. I visited fabric stores, I drew up plans, I listened to music, and I prayed. At one fabric store, the women were so moved by what I was making, they gave me fabric off the bolts for free. They said they could see the Spirit working in me, and they just asked that I bring back my final product. I did. They got teary eyed. I felt humbled. The whole time I didn't feel as though what I was making was really my idea, but that I certainly had the skills to make what I was being led to make. And so, I made a teardrop because God told me to. And he was louder than usual. And I listened as best I could. Then, once my part was finished, my priest referred me to a friend and carpenter, Chris Montmeny, to make a stand to put the teardrop on. He said he'd be happy to help; he'd make a stand for my piece by Good Friday. When he showed up, he had made not just any old podium. Chris had made a beautiful art table that sits as a piece of furniture in my home today, and on Good Friday it displayed my teardrop, God's teardrop. The whole experience was truly humbling. I felt so close to God. I felt so incredibly loved. Easter Sunday arrived, the Lord had risen, and when I looked up at the Cross on that morning in church, a new vision struck me. My next station. Station #5. So, now here we are, about to start Lent. And I am about to get to work - on station #5 - because God told me to. And I have to admit, I am nervous. I pray that God talks to me again this year, but even more, I pray that I am able to listen. Amen.

3 comments:

  1. When did you get a blog??! Love it...Love that story and love that I got to see that teardrop in person...Keep writing!

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  2. Yipee! So excited to see Station 5 evolve over the next few weeks:)

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  3. wow. that's amazing. it's so humbling to FEEL the Spirit working in you, esp when you have no idea WHAT He's doing. :)

    i love your blog!!!!!

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