A TIMELESS AND TREASURED GIFT

This incredible painting was a gift from a very, very dear friend of mine. It is from my very earliest childhood friend's mother. Her and I have recently reconnected and we have had many wonderful reminiscent conversations. She was like a mother to me in those early days, and continues to be an incredible voice of wisdom in my life today. I'm not sure why God chose to have our paths cross again in such an intimate way, but I am certainly enjoying every minute of it! She always prays about what to paint for others, and let's God use her to convey a message through her work. She prayed about what she wanted to paint for me, and a "lighthouse" was her answer. I would have been a little puzzled by a picture of a lighthouse if it hadn't been for some wonderful conversations we have had in the past few months.

For some reason, I always find myself spilling my heart out to this dear lady on the other side of my computer screen. I have shared my worries in parenting, about church "junk", and about simply living out the Christian life. We have talked at length about how I try to find the correct balance in my kids lives, and not try to shelter them from this world. But my daily job is to equip my children to be able to one day go out and be shining lights for Him in this dark, dark world. Many a day I would find an e-mail response to some of my concerns I had shared with the simple words "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine"... and when sharing some of my most trying situations, the response would be "Won't let satan blow it out, I'm gonna let it shine". All of these conversations took place AFTER she had begun this lighthouse painting for me.

God is awesome, isn't He?

On the back is written this:

Then spoke Jesus unto them saying, "I am the Light of the world; He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life."

John 8:12

As if this incredible talent isn't enough to blow your socks off, the Lord gave her this poem to go along with the painting.... can you believe the title??

"Timeless and Treasured, the Story of a Lighthouse"

I came about in times of old

When men had need of me

So necessary was my job

I have a gift, you see

I never move, nor do I stray

I always am the same

In fact, this special gift of mine

Is why I have my name.

I'm thankful for the warmth of sun

It dries me through and through

As puffy clouds go floating by

In rows of two by two.

But then the clouds begin to fill

with deep and darkened blue

As breezes turn to strong swift winds

I know what I must do

The monstrous waves surround me

they beat against my wall

With winds so strong they roar like lions

yet still, I stand up tall

I work my best when seas are rough

and nothings going right

When all seems gloom and dark despair

That's when I shine my light.

I'll take my stand no matter what

The storm may bring my way

And even from the darkest night

the Lord brings forth His day

I'll send my rays of saving light

Across the raging sea

And help the lost to find their way

All safe and sound to me

For I am built on solid ground

"Safe Harbor" where I stand

Just watch the light and trust in me

I'll bring you near to land

My light will keep on burning

While the storm is passing through

Then once again the clouds will smile

The sky turn happy blue.

Now years have passed, a lot has changed

The lighthouse keeper's gone

I stand here growing very old

Just standing here alone.

My lighted flame has now grown dim where brightly it did shine

And now I watch the ships come in

sometimes all in a line.

Now many people come and go

They say that I am Treasured

I hear I'm Timeless, that my worth

Is such it can't be measured

For watching and for helping

All the ships far out at sea

"Timeless and Treasured"...

is what they all call me.

Written by:
Ruth Ann Wheeler

Inspired by:

God

2009