My friend Misti invited me to go to Bible study with her tonight. “What should I bring?”, I asked her. “Yourself, your Bible, and Crayola markers” was her reply. Strange list, huh? I mean, who even needs markers at a Bible study? She then explained to me that in the Bible study, you talk about scripture then you color. You color a picture that the girl leading tells you to- not direct instructions, she just sets the framework. ‘I guess it’s always good to try something new’, I thought, inside being mildly sad that I was going to be working to stay inside the lines instead of watching Grey’s Anatomy.
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
But something looks different- I can’t tell what it is, but it looks like a different tree. And then, a word jumps out of the branches. I reach into my bin of markers (yes, I brought too many markers, freshman mistake) and pull out a red marker- actually, it’s raspberry. And it is the most beautiful shade of red I have ever seen. I start to color the letters I see in the branches. This is the finished product:
There it is- right in the midst of a very pruned tree of a girl- LOVE. And as I see it, I gasp. Six months ago, my tree was huge, full of fruit and colors and blessings. Then, God pruned me down- no leaves, no fruit, just limbs. But His purpose was for this season- He pruned my life back so that I could see the center of my being- His LOVE for me.
Yes, I am framing this picture in my room.
Lamentations 3:21-23
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD’s great LOVE we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
Hallelujah. God is near.
Annie–
I LOVE your picture. And I’m digging this theme talk. I think God may be speaking to me in themes too. Thanks for the insight.
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annie, i love the way God speaks to you.
this is so good, thats been my “theme” phrase for a while…”its all about love”…really its what it boils down to. how often i forget it was all i was created for.
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Wow, God’s crazy about you. Come watch Grey’s on DVR.
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i love love love this!!!! God is sooo good!!
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Annie, as I was in line at Taco Bell today grabbing lunch for the nurses I work with, I was thinking about you and how as soon as I got a moment at work, I was going to email Sally and ask if she had your email. Because after I left last night, all I wanted to do was to turn around and drive back and tell you something. I check my email today and Sally sent me this link to your blog.
YAY!
We were both newbies last night and I was hesitant to say this, but I have to say it now.
You have a lovely lovely heart.
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Annie- I LOVE this!!! I love when God speaks thru crazy stuff.
You’re amazing – maybe I can stop blogging bout pirates for 2 minutes and blog about Jesus 1 time!
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wow. That was awesome annie, thank you! And just to give you another small/huge taste of how good God is, Mrs. Nansie got us to start bible studies for the middle school girls recently and so for the past like three weeks ive been praying about what the lord wants us to talk about. ANND His love kept coming back. i kid you not. So thats our bible study theme. well i love you. a lot.
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Wow Annie! This is amazing. You set a high bar for us newbies. A beautiful reminder for me right now.
thank you for sharing-and by the way- you have got to see Grey’s. Whoa-it was a doozie!
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I totally met an “artist girl” named Keller one time at the Marietta Square…. I bet it is the same girl!!!! But, AMAZING picture, Ann.. I’m impressed.. God speaks..in some amazing ways!!!!!!!
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Annie!!! I LOVE this. I am also learning about LOVE and it is a messy, beautiful road. I am reading a book called “the greatest thing in the world” by Henry Drummond and it has shaken me and moved me and changed me. I reccommend it. Love you! Forbesy
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