Monday, June 21, 2010

An Artist's Blessing

Kathy Richards posted this blessing on her blog last week, and it continues to haunt me. I do so want to faithfully reflect the face of my Father and Creator--in my writing and in my life.

Visible-Light and X-Ray Composite Image of Galaxy Cluster 1E 0657-556

Blessing

As faithful image bearers (artists, but saints first),
may you reflect not only the creation
but its beautiful and good Creator.
May you embrace your true calling
to humbly serve the glorious One who promises you glory.
May you accept and acknowledge
the wound your faithful friend has inflicted,
and may you in friendship and loyalty inflict it on others.
May your art be worship.
May your worship be art.
May you afflict the comfortable with jolts of inconsolable joy.
May you call forth the good, the beautiful, the eternal hope of
your true city.
And when people step back from your painting,
put down your novel, 
or leave the theater,
may they leave having been fatally stabbed,
inconsolably wrecked with a longing for home.
And may you reflect faithfully the face of your Father
who strides through the galaxies with a brush in His hand.

(An except from The God Who Smokes: Scandalous Meditations on Faith by Timothy J. Stoner)

If you haven't visited katdish, you're missing a treat. Kathy makes me laugh. She makes me cry. She makes me think. And sometimes she just makes me say, "Huh?" And sometimes all at the same time.

Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King

8 comments:

  1. Thanks for much for the mention. It's a wonderful blessing, isn't it?

    I make you say "Huh?" Snort!

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  2. @katdish: Only sometimes. ;)

    @Linda: Isn't it awesome? I keep reading and re-reading it.

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  3. Thank you for the links and for the inspiration.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  4. @Karen: I'm posting this one on my wall!

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  5. Thanks so much, Sandy! I missed it on Kathy's blog. I love it! Blessings!

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  6. What a wonderful prayer! Thanks for sharing it!

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  7. @Lynn and Gina: Welcome! It's beautiful. I might need to check out that book. Such a strange name!

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