There’s a picture hanging in the parsonage that wouldn’t mean anything to you. It’s not fancy, not a Monet, a Picasso, or even a Russell May. In it, a woman stands at a flower cart. A horse-drawn carriage travels a dirt path in the background behind her. The peach colors and muted hues hint that the artwork is decades old.
In 1981, I saw it. Loved it. Longed for it. Yet, it was not to be. As teenaged newlyweds, my beloved and I lived on love, soup and Tater Tots. We couldn’t afford the K-Mart price of $8.99.
Somehow a week later, he found the money for it. I was overjoyed and immediately hung the masterpiece that was held in a shiny gold frame. It was our first major purchase as a couple.
In 1992, we reframed the picture in wood, adding a complimentary mat. Over the years, we have carried the woman at the flower cart with us. She has adorned a wall everywhere we’ve lived. So far, she has endured five moves.
I smile every time I see her. She reminds me of God’s faithfulness.
He has surely brought us a long way. Those two teenagers are now in their 60s. We’ve been through floods, a mini-tornado in 1987, times of great need, times of plenty, two children, foster kids, surrender to ministry, loss of parents and other loved ones, and a pandemic. God has been faithful through it all. Not one single crisis caught Him by surprise along the way. We are daily overwhelmed and overjoyed by His kindness and provision.
My beloved preached on the faithfulness of God last Sunday. In the sermon, he mentioned a song we had loved years ago. “He’s Been Faithful to Me” by The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir was one of our favorites. I downloaded it Monday morning, then sobbed my way to work. Memories of victories and rescues flooded my mind.
The words, “Though in my heart I have questioned, even failed to believe, He’s been faithful, faithful to me,” remind me that it’s human nature to be afraid when things take a turn. Today’s trial or battle may seem more difficult than yesterday’s. But, if we remember Who He is, what He has already done, His heart, AND His faithfulness, we can boldly walk into the day or night knowing He is with us. And will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Psalm 119:90 reminds us, “Your faithfulness continues through all generations…” It does. The Apostle Paul shared in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “The one who calls you is faithful.” In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, he wrote, “But the Lord is faithful.” He is. He is.
Ethan the Ezrahite shared, “I will sing of the LORD’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations (Psalm 89:1). Oh, that’s MY story. While I can’t belt it out in a public song, my heart and pen are bursting with thanksgiving!
The woman at the flower cart is a daily reminder of all my heavenly Father is and what He has done. Do you have reminders of the faithfulness of God, too?