Martha and Tim’s Wedding
Canvas: 16” x 24”
Time: Approx. 4 hours
[Not For Sale]
Artist Statement
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. —James 1:17
Before the ceremony, Martha, you had made the comment, “Tim is a gift from God.” This became the central inspiration for this painting. I was impressed by your remarkable story. Tim asking a mutual friend to think of a woman would be a good match. Quickly the lightbulb went off in her mind—Martha! Then Martha, after having been asked so many times if you would be open to meeting someone, you finally said, ‘Yes.’ Tim, You did not hesitate, you texted right away, thus assuring Martha you are brave and decisive. Then, a spark of Divine light illuminated your worlds...almost immediately you both had a deep knowing that you had been drawn by the Spirit to marry. At first I envisioned both of you looking up to Heaven with both arms raised to receive the gift. But then as I started to paint at the beginning of the ceremony I noticed how you could not keep you eyes off each other. And this is according to the scripture:
But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love! This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. —1 John 4:11-13
And so I shifted your gazes so they would meet. Your clasped hands represent the day to day grit of living and serving in marriage. Your arms intertwined and reaching up depict you receiving the gift of the Love sent down from above, Love that you will continually share with each other. The heart shaped space between you creates space for the Breath of Life to flow freely into your new world. Surrounded by green fields, new growth spouts all around you like the farms and lush green lawns of Gilbert where your ceremony took place. The green also symbolizes the new Life that will spring forth from the hearts of the people who will bask in the Warmth that emanates from your union. Finally, after I finished the painting, Martha you told me what your actual words were,“Tim is my heavenly airdrop.” The Spirit showed me an image of an airdrop without even knowing you had said that. So, like this painting, this is proof that HE crafted your wedding day from the beginning! Keep trusting Him to craft your entire marriage!