There is something that feels sacred about spending time with D.

Maybe it’s because she radiates joy as she freely describes herself as having terminal cancer.

Maybe it’s because she is the art teacher that I am feebly positioned to replace.

Maybe it’s because she sees art as a perfect expression of the artist rather than an object seeking perfection.

In any case, I learned yesterday that her scheduled diagnostic scan did not bring good news. We had wanted to hear that though our prayers and the powerful chemotherapy she was enduring that the tumor has shrunk. But, no, instead it has spread.

Having learned this, I started my text to her this morning with “I am wondering what it is like to be you this morning?”

Wanting to connect in some way I sent her my latest pencil drawing. Knowing she is skilled in bringing art to life with shadows and shading, I asked if she could help me. I wanted to position a light source that the shadows would reflect.

Her answer surprised me, “It’s a beautiful drawing.” She said. 

    “It doesn’t need shading. THE POWER IS IN THE MEANING.”

WOW!! I was benefitting from the encouragement I have watched her give to her other students. D is effusive in her recognition of the message she finds in art work. Then, dismissive of the many ways she could improve the project. 

As I ponder what THE POWER IS IN THE MEANING means…

Is it possible that God can use my scratching…

    To invite these students to put themselves in the story of the road to Emmaus?

    To question why Jesus walked seven miles with two strangers

rather than fill a colosseum to celebrate His resurrection?

    To consider why we don’t preach this story on Easter?

    To imagine what we would talk about if we were walking with Jesus?

    To long for how we could constrain Him to stay with us until we recognized the nail scars in His hands? 

I can picture these prison women in an energetic response to my questions. They will be authentic and vulnerable drawing me into their stories with a steady compelling eye contact. I will be one of them as together we seek Jesus.

Is it possible that I am actually teaching art? It’s fun to think so, but I know that art is teaching me. 

THE POWER IS IN THE MEANING.