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Reflections On God Biography Come
To Your Senses
1 Corinthians 12:30
All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not
speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?
The Artist
In You……
Winding my way past the street vendors while on
vacation in Mexico, I happened upon an older gentleman who
had a stack of white ceramic tiles beside him. In front of
him lay several beautifully painted tiles mostly of local
scenery including slender swaying palm trees, sunrises,
sunsets, moons and stars, crashing ocean waves and beaches
blanketed with white sand adorned with tropical plants. At
first glimpse I thought his work was nothing short of
spectacular. As I studied his work more closely I was
amazed at the intricate detail of his artistic ability. I
have never seen such unique artwork anywhere before.
In about thirty minutes he was able to transform his blank
ceramic “canvas” into a brilliant representation of most
anything that inspired him. On one tile he started in the
middle and painted his way toward the edge. I didn’t
realize until he was nearly finished with the first half of
the piece that he was actually painting the sky upside
down! He kept selecting from the dollops of paint on his
palette, blending a few primary colors and transferring them
to his masterpiece in progress.
My words are inadequate to fully describe his handiwork.
Here’s why:
“Where are your paintbrushes?”
“I don’t use any,” he replied without looking away from his
work.
“Then how do you create so much detail in your paintings?”
The experienced man continued, saying, “I only use the tips
of my fingers and my fingernails. That’s all I need.”
Have you ever looked closely at a pineapple and studied the
texture and complexity of its skin? Have you ever noticed
the minuscule veins on the blade of a palm leaf? Or the
pattern of the plume on a seagull’s feather? The talented
artist was producing these types of images at lightning
speed and with apparent ease hardly noticing the hustle and
bustle of the gawking vacationers and holiday shoppers.
My beloved bride and grandson as well as other passersby
were equally impressed as they surveyed and marveled at his
handiwork. Amid all the street vendors who were displaying
costume jewelry and souvenirs, replicas of “authentic” Mayan
artifacts and designer sunglasses, the old man was the only
one producing his saleable merchandise on the spot.
“Which one do you like?” he softly asked.
“I like them all. They are so amazing. You are very
talented. God has blessed you with a gift!”
“Tonight I have a special price. I will sell you anyone of
these for twenty dollars. Just pick the one you want and I
will wrap it for you. Which one do you want?”
“I’m just browsing right now. Maybe later when I come
back. Maybe then. You do fantastic work!”
“Thank you senor! Yes, maybe later you will stop by and
pick one.”
Later in the evening all of the vendors had packed up their
goods and left. I mentioned to my wife that we should have
purchased one of the ceramic tiles. She agreed. I decided
the next night I would buy one but my son informed me the
vendors were only there every other night. I was leaving in
two days and would be gone before the artist returned. I
wouldn’t have the opportunity to buy one. Browsing and
indecision can cause many great opportunities to pass by
you.
I was able to purchase a large beaded rosary from the resort
gift shop and picked up two bottles of tequila and one
bottle of good rum in the duty free shop at the airport.
Other than the rosary for me, I guess bargain priced alcohol
is the most common purchase of many tourists. I have a
suspicion that consuming tequila and rum will numb my memory
somewhat of the peaceful days spent on the Riviera Maya!
I’ll be careful and savor the flavor! The rosary will pass
through my fingers quite regularly and when reciting the
prayers of the rosary I’ll fondly recall all I experienced
in Mexico.
The trip to Mexico was a gift that my wife and I gave to
each other to celebrate our thirtieth wedding anniversary.
I admit it was her persistence that caused me to say yes and
join my son, daughter in-law and grandson for a
pre-Christmas getaway. It would have been easy to pass up
the opportunity and just stay home and prepare for Christmas
in the usual manner but I’m glad we made the decision to
take the trip.
It was going to be a working vacation of sorts as I prepare
to launch some long planned ideas about sharing my
experiences about God working in my life. For quite some
time (for too long according to my bride) I have been
developing the concept of “Looking for God? Come to Your
Senses” where I can share how I encounter God in my life
every day. But another approach is to interact with other
people and record how they experience God and share their
witness too. So, along with telling my story I can relate
to you their story as well.
How does someone know and see God in a rainbow or feel the
refreshing spring rainfall if they only live in the barren
desert? How can one see God from the top of the mountain if
their only way of living has been in the valleys of life?
All of us can share how God had blessed us. Each one of us
has an integral part in God’s universe.
The humble artist was another reminder of how God has graced
each one of us with gifts. Some are healers. Some can
speak many languages. Others are great chefs or carpenters
or school teachers. Many have tilled the soil, planted seed
and harvested bountiful crops! God has blessed many more
with great voices to sing his praises or bestowed others
with musical talent! He did not give gifts to just a few of
his children. He created all his children, in his image,
equally.
I have been given many gifts. Some I have only begun to
use! There are many great things to do with all God has
given me! I must confess, there are times when I too, fall
into the occasional pity trap and wish I could do this or
that but I don’t stay there long. It’s too much of a
negative force. I am not a welder or auto mechanic. (God
has his reasons!) Sometimes I refer to myself as the
jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none kind of guy.
His Word tells us to give praise in all things. Do you give
praise and glory for what you can do? Do you thank
God for the things you can’t do? That’s important
too. I’m sure my auto mechanic thanks God I don’t work on
cars! I’m sure my barber is glad I don’t cut hair!
Who is the artist in you? What seed has God planted in you
that you can share? How will your light shine? Do you
spend your days full of envy? Are you jealous because
others seem to be more talented, more blessed than you? Do
you really think the Father would only give gifts to some of
his children? Oh ye of little faith! Look within you! Let
your light shine! God has given you gifts too! He has
planted the seed! It’s up to you to “bloom where you are
planted”!
Who is the artist in you?
Peace.
© Dave
I
appreciate your comments:
dpolitte57@gmail.com
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