The Drawing by Lorrie Lane Dyer

Today, we're happy to welcome new columnist Lorrie Lane Dyer. To view more of Lorrie's writing or to learn about her speaking engagements, visit her at her personal website. We're thrilled to have Lorrie sharing her thoughts here at CatholicMom.com twice a month!

Every now and then I heed God’s call to stop in and say "Hello". This morning was one of those mornings. I had just dropped off my son at school, ran an errand and was on my way home when Prince of Peace Catholic Church caught my eye. Of course, I pass it several times a day, but on Fridays I know Jesus is waiting in there for me to visit with him during Adoration. I stopped in to find two other people visiting Jesus as well. As always, I went to the front to be closer to Him. I knelt down and finished my rosary.

I am captivated by the image of Jesus upon the cross. The tranquility and beauty grab hold of me and steal me away. In this place of peace, I always wish I’d brought my pen and paper. So many wonderful thoughts come to mind when I am talking to Jesus. In His presence I am an artist, a poet, a sculptor, a painter, a creator. And, someone who always forgets to bring her pen and paper. Yet what is created during that time remains within me. Now, getting it out as beautifully as it is in my mind’s eye is quite a different story.

Just this morning I visualized a beautiful picture of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit: three-in-one. I came home with the intent of creating that picture on paper. Of course, Roy (my Newfoundland) had to get a drink, the cat needed a belly rub, the dishes needed washed and the trash can was in want of a bag. I took out the vacuum with the intent to use it but set it aside until after I finished my picture. I went to get some paper and my colored pencils. As it were, all were in need of sharpening. I began sharpening away until my sharpener took a break to cool off. That was OK, I would just create my picture with the colors I had. And so I began. My picture is done now, looking barely similar to the one pictured in my mind. (Note to self: take a drawing class). The idea is captured waiting for the day when I can recreate it with the skill required to make it as beautiful as God intended it to be.

Kneeling before Jesus, I stare intently upon Him. As He hangs upon the cross He reaches out and touches my heart. Whenever I find myself under His gaze I feel in the depths of my heart true sorrow and true forgiveness. I feel remorse for all the things I’ve done (and do) that I know would not please Him and that put Him upon the cross.

Today as we had our silent conversation, he revealed to me how marriage and the His journey to the cross have so much in common. Marriage is a beautiful sacrament that has its ups and downs. Like Jesus, it requires perseverance. Without perseverance Jesus would not have given His life for ours. He looked beyond what He had to endure for the good of mankind. He persevered when others would have given up. He held on knowing perseverance was and is necessary to accomplish His purpose, much like in marriage. And so once again I try to convey the beauty and message that God wishes to reveal. I know it will not be as beautiful as when God revealed it to me, I fail greatly when trying to recreate such things. When the ideas are down on paper it is a start though and is no longer kept within me. It is out there to be shared, even if it lacks the beauty our Creator intended it to have. After all, one day I will take that drawing class and one day I will write as eloquently as the message God has given me to deliver.