Garage sales are a fun treasure hunt. You never know what a unique "find" may turn up that speaks to your soul. God is in the details. There is no such thing as coincidence.
That's what happened last spring when this large painting of a white dove (symbol of the Holy Spirit) showed up, out on a limb, at a city-wide garage sale. I took it as a sign that although I was out on a limb, I was not alone. The Holy Spirit was not only aware, but fully present, watching and waiting me inch my way forward.
As Mark Twain once said, "Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is." The large unframed painting was propped up on the driveway, among toys, and household items. The resident artist was giving it away for $3. The canvas was worth much more than that... I questioned her, but she was happy to let her soulful dove fly away, and I was thankful for the gift of remembrance.
"Out on A Limb" (that's my name for it) is now on the wall, aglow in soft lamplight. What do you see as you look at the painting? To me, it represents a sudden breakthrough. The vast open canvas space is shrouded in ordinary hues of beige and tan. Then a burst of blue opens a portal, in the center. The peaceful Dove is revealed... in splashes and streaks of white. Although unseen, the Holy Spirit was there all the time. What was hidden comes to Light, painting a wonderful picture... that as we inch our way along the narrow branch out on a limb, scared out of our wits, there is hope. If we hold on tight, and don't let go, we'll make it. We are not alone on our spiritual quest for fruit. The Holy Spirit and God's angels are here in support of our newborn purpose.
Rae Karen
