I was very surprised a few days ago by an email sent to me from Kathy who lives in Molalla, Oregon.
I didn't know Kathy at all.
And she didn't know me.
She said, "I picked up this uniquely and brightly painted burl wood bowl at a Thrift Shop. The bottom has handwritten on it"
Marshalltown, Iowa 1995 JC
Of course, one of my friends knew I had gone through a painting phase a long time ago and suggested Kathy contact me.
Kathy emailed me a few days ago, asking me if I painted the bowl, and, of course, yes! I did! I went through a phase when the kids were young when I painted anything that stood still: bowls, tables, sculptures, eyeglasses, lamps, glass plates... pretty much anything I could get paint to stick to... probably over 200 pieces or so. I just assumed it landed in the junk yard; in fact, I have not thought about all that painted stuff for years.
Kathy and I emailed back and forth a bit, telling each other about ourselves. I told her I was a harpist now that had recently taken on weaving (another story for another day) and that I didn't paint anymore as I was busy with other creative endeavors. And Kathy told me she recently completed months of chemo for a slow growing lymphoma. She said she is excellent now and her prognosis is, too.
She said, "Even though the small stuff has always meant a great deal to me it does now more than ever. I think this is why I felt compelled to find the painter of the bowl. I sure will enjoy the bowl and the little story that goes along with it; a well-traveled little gem. Thanks for this little, unintended unexpected gift."
Oh my!!! What a gift to me! She liked what I painted!
I have questions:
1. How did the bowl get to Oregon?
2. Who has had it and why didn't they just throw it away?
but frankly, the real question is:
What else have I put out there?
Has my output been joyful?
Holy Spirit inspired?
Encouraging?
Loving and compassionate?
Have I been putting out gems or items destined for the junk yard?
HELP, Heavenly Father.
May I be guided by You to say, think, and do the right thing that brings glory to You.
Gems... all gems... for You.
