The Barn at the Homestead

The Barn at the Homestead

Monday, June 25, 2012

Burning hearts . . .

I love rummage sales and thrift stores; in some ways it is a hobby.  Over the years I have found some wonderful things for my home as well as some savvy gifts for friends and family. I've been inspired ever since I first read Living More with Less by Doris Janzen Longacre.
[Living More-with-Less Cover]http://www.heraldpress.com/titles/livingmorewithless/


This past Saturday, after an early morning trip to our local farmers market,  I made my way to a local church's rummage sale.  Arriving later in the morning that I had intended, I made my way around the room feasting my eyes on the treasurers that remained from the early crowd.  I didn't see much, until a box of picture frames caught my eye.  There I discovered a lovely print of the Walk to Emmaus. The colors were beautiful and it was very tastefully framed.  Thinking it might be more than I normally allow myself to spend on my hobby, I decided to see what the treasure might cost.  The price turned out to be $2.00!  Needless to say, I came home with the framed print in hand.


To my amazement, the colors of the print coordinated beautifully with our living room furniture.  My husband graciously hung the print for me--every time I go down the hall I catch a glimpse of it.  Several years ago, I read about a monastery where a painting of the  Annunciation (Angel Gabriel's encounter with the Virgin Mary) was placed on the ascending staircase that led to the monks' cells.  Each time they climbed the stairs, they were confronted with Mary's YES and subsequently with their own.  The placement of my Emmaus print reminds me of how our Lord often walks with me, even when I don't recognize it.  In the company of others, in the breaking of the bread, God is revealed.  I don't know the artist of the painting; but I am inspired by the Grand Artist.  Thanks be to God.


They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’  Luke 24:32