ann kiemel

paint me a song.

a dozen crayons and

a sky to color.

the choir takes shape.

music lifts us above

the armies of darkness.

the ice of our hardened

hearts begins to melt.

melts our rage and compromise

and all the holes we can't

seem to crawl out of. don't

even know how we fell in.

despair, addictions. crippling

depression.

"there is no testimony

without a test." james 1

we had a ladies' function

at church on a saturday

morning. for me, every

new neighbor opens the door to

a bag of pastries in my arms.

i help in anyway i can.

but i just didn't remember to

invite the single mom

above me -

my friend, judy, had a neighbor

coming. changing her world.

it stopped me in my tracks.

what about the single mom

upstairs?

i was SCARED! yes!

i was. i can, and do, talk to

anyone about Jesus, but it was

8 p.m. the night before.

run, ann, before fear catches

you. let redemption have a chance.

to sing its song, and dance the rhythm

of love.

mary was dressing for a date.

not this time. downhearted?

NO!! i had done my part, and will

continue building bridges instead

of walls to her.

do you have days

when you feel you don't count?

where is life taking you? does

God REALLY care?!

really have a plan for YOU?

suddenly

i'm coloring the sky

black. i don't like how

i'm feeling. oh, i want to

be PURE for Jesus. but

the angels are gone.

the music flat.

the air heavy.

how can Jesus use such

a flawed human like me?

well,

i got the helmut.

grabbed the shield.

strapped on the breast-

plate of righteousness.

okay, warriors.

we are in battle.

i have your back.

hope you have mine.

i ran 12 miles for you

today. stay tough.

we will not be deterred

from loving the world to

Jesus. glorious Savior

i hear a thread of music.

the sky begins to warm.

the angels are tuning voices

for the next song.

never ever ever give up.

victory is ours.

hallelujah. hallelujah.

amen.

all images used by permission

copyright 2009 judy silverstein