Thursday, November 04, 2004

Bloom where you are planted

"Religion and art spring from the same root and are close kin." Willa Cather

Paul Zelinksy said today that his job as a children's book illustrator is to make the words of the story bloom. I like that metaphor. Pick up any children's picture book, choose a word and see just how the illustrator has made it bloom in the picture on the page.

It strikes me that as a Christian, it is my job to make the words of Christ bloom on this earth. The blooms open not in extraordinary ways--but in the very simple, ordinary hours when we pat someone on the back, encourage a child, take food to a home of illness, make a short phone call, or pen a warm note. The words "cup of cold water" bloom in us and spread his light (to mix metaphors).

"Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side." Mark 9:41 (The Message)

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