we have just had a very special baptism. whenever anyone sincerely makes this step, it is a special occasion, but this one was different. there are several reasons for that.
on our way to the beautiful bohinj lake through the heavy rain i called vesna to ask her what wether she is being in now. rainy. but she was not yet at the destination. twenty minutes before the due time, an elder called and told me that there is sunshine on site. talk about happiness! and gratitude!
well, i was still quite an embarrassing distance away at the moment. no justification, although there was a traffic jam on the highway. my time calculation was wrong. and when i arrived and lead the way to the beach, i believe we started with the programme probably 40 minutes late. very soon, the rain commenced. it was my first baptism in the rain. i now (very biblically) take these raindrops as a representation of the Holy Spirit needed for spiritual growth and service. and, yes, the grace has its limits, mind you! at the time prayed for, there was sunshine, and by the time we started, we could have finished.
another reason to make this occasion so special is that i baptized a person who has become a very good friend of mine. very creative friend at that, whose superb giftedness i want to show you here.
this is the card she made as a memento for the attendees. the art is not just in the form, but also in the ideas expressed:everybody would recognize the bird as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. but with it vesna also illustrated herself. the bird has obviously passed from an image on the paper to 3D form. in a way, it is liberated. it is in the shape of the cross and has bible words about unfailing love of God printed on it. so, by what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and by His word transmitted to her, she is freed. the shadow under her wings is left behind. she is flying to so splendidly drawn symbol of life and peace, which will fully become reality at Jesus' coming. wow!
may God bless you, vesna, on you way. may you experience genuine and rich walk through whatever awaits you. may He grant you joy and victory!
i love your card. and i love - you!
wooow.. what a great artistic work that is!! ;))) nearly worth of making a comment.. hihi
ReplyDeleteIn fact, i just wanted to say:
really! really!! nice words stjepan.. love u - too! .)
I like this post.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of a song:
When the saints begin to pray
The Lord will have his way
and the glory of God will come down
He may not come when you want him to
my God knows what's right for you
In his good and perfect time
He said that he would come
I know sometimes the road seems long
My God says 'keep holding on'
don't give up don't give in
and speedily He'll come to you.
God is indeed always on time. And since He is our great Example we know what to work on. Praise be to God for his grace even though some of us, myself included, are slow learners in this particular area.
Your friend is very talented indeed. The card is beautiful.
So word on the street is that yesterday you had a very special baptism again.
Congratulations :) !
i can hardly believe, dearest anonymus, that you've let everyone read your mind. i assure you, though, that there was no secret intention to pull you out of your box with what i wrote. as i said, i appreciate your work, from the very first sight, and i feel flattered that someone “smells my style“ in this piece.
ReplyDeletethank you, zippora, for your insight and input.
ReplyDeleteyes, we had another one on sabbath. this one was also special. different people, different illustration, but equally great blessing. you will hear more about that. fot the time being, you can see pics on adventisti.si.