Finishing up in my studio are some prayer jars. The process of creating them is a long one. From learning to throw pottery on the wheel, setting up a studio, ordering supplies, throwing, carving, drying, glazing, firing...the process is truly a long one! But with these particular items there is something perhaps a little different. I want to share some of my thoughts so that those who might have them in their homes can know a little of their history as they add their own.
Lent is a time of quiet and reflection. A time to remember the sorrows that Jesus endured for us and the blessings he has given us. During these forty days, our church reminds us of this in many ways including through the art and environment.
My dear friend, Melinda Brown, has a true gift of decoration and design. At Christmas, she oversaw the placing of dozens of poinsettias, wreaths, garlands and strings of lights to remind us of the joy of the season. Last Easter saw beautiful and fragrant lilies overflowing the altar to reflect the abundance of love open to us through Christ's resurrection.
The past few years Mel has used large empty ceramic containers to teach about emptying ourselves to the quiet and desert of Lent. In looking at them, I felt a nudge...a desire...to create something that would be worthy of display and would in some small way inspire others to prayer and reflection. It was one of the reasons I finally signed up for a pottery class the fall of 2009.
Last October, I had the great pleasure of going to Italy with Melinda. Actually, we graduated from Arkansas High together, how shall I say, several years ago. The past four years we have attended the Little Rock Institute of Theology together and graduated with that degree this past fall. Being her “sister friend” is a gift from God!
In Italy, we traveled throughout Rome and Tuscany. Attended a papal mass, a tour of St. Peter's tomb, prayed together at St. Paul's tomb, she drove us through Tuscany to Sienna and Florence. So many wonderful memories. One morning, we found ourselves at the foot of the Spanish Steps. I can walk for miles and miles on level ground, but stairs are hard for me. But with Mel at my side, up we went. And I was right, it was the toughest thing I physically did during our trip.
The reason we wanted to walk up them was to reach the Santissima Trinita dei Monti Pinco (Most Holy Trinity at Monte Pinco). Why this church? If you look carefully in the picture you might see a resemblance to somewhere in Texarkana! Our home church of St. Edward's was designed after this one in Rome. Our families have long histories at St. Ed's – Mel and I were both baptized here, married here and our children have had their weddings here. So to reach this summit was like coming home when we were far away.
Once we stepped inside the hush of the church, the first thing we saw was this...
Of so many wonderful, wonderful things in Italy, this is the piece of art that spoke the most deeply to me. In my next blog, I'll share some of the why...
