Sebelius

Sebelius

This morning when I opened my Bible for my daily reading time, a portion of a passage struck my eye, and I read no further. Sometimes, though it is very rare, just a few words are the words I need from my Heavenly Father to get me through the day. Today, it was seven words. 

Isaiah 26:9a At night my soul longs for You,

That was all, but it filled my heart right up to the brim. 

4" x 4"

Painted with artist quality heavy-body acrylic paint on 1.5” deep cradled wood panel

Edges painted black

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Yesterday, for the first time in a very long time, I walked in our woods. The snow was the kind where the top inch or so is light and fluffy, then there is a crunchy crusty part, then your foot goes through to heavy, wetter snow. It was slogging for me, but oh boy did I love it! There was a price to pay though. Between the walking and some stresses I have been facing, my body rebelled. For the rest of the day and part of the night I had to deal with some significant issues that limited my activity . 

In the wee hours of the morning, (zero-dark-thirty) I was awake and praying for those people and situations that came to mind, and I also asked God for peace and relief so that I could sleep more. A song came to mind, though I could only really remember a line or two of the lyrics. "Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side..." I also was remembering a very comforting conversation from a friend (who I have never met in person, but we are sisters!) and a text from another friend. In combination, it was enough to bring peace and sleep. 

This morning during "couch time" with my Beloved Husband, I asked him to find that song for me, and when I heard the lyrics of the whole thing, I was undone. I think Katherine von Schlegel wrote them just for me:

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake

To guide the future, as He has the past.

Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;

All now mysterious shall be bright at last.

Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know

His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

...

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Katherine Von Schlegel (1697-1768)

So when my eye and heart were caught by that verse this morning, it felt to me like my loving Heavenly Father was saying, "Yes, that was Me. I care about the things on your mind, and I gave you the gift of peace and more sleep this morning." Oh, how I love Him! 

P.S. The painting is called Sebelius because the poem/song I thought of during the night is set to the tune Finlandia, which was composed by Sebelius. The painting has some metallic gold, and has horizontal marks which I used to express the idea of peace in the midst of a lot going on. It also has a loosely cruciform composition, and more neutral colors.