ART SPEAKS ~

Today I sat with an elderly lady, whose husband passed away this summer.  She had been married to him for a very, very, long time. Over 60 years!
A friend of hers sent her a sympathy card with Danny Hahlbohm`s painting called ``Welcome Home``.

As I was talking to her - in order to find out how she was coping - she got up from her little chair and shuffled across the floor to find that special card. She sorted through several cards and when she located the one she was looking for she brought it to me where I was sitting, on the edge of her bed. ``Look``  she said, pointing to Jesus hugging the man, ``That is my husband.  Jesus is welcoming my husband into Heaven.``  and then she wept outloud as she told me how much she missed her husband and that she knew he was in a wonderful place but she missed him so.  I looked at the card and turned it over.  There was writing on the back of the card so I began to read out loud to her what it said: 

``The turning point in Danny Richard Hahlbohm`s personal and professional ife was his acceptance of the Lord. A native of Long Island, Danny enlisted in the armed forces in 1968 and was sent overseas. Toward the end of his tour of duty, he received a miracle from God and became a devoted Christian.  After being honorably discharged and returning to the states in 1972, he decided to use his artistic talents to honour God and spread HIS Word. - Inspired by Mary Stevenson`s 1939 poem, Danny`s painting ``Footprints in the Sand`` was published in 1979.   - Danny is quick to point out that the Lord has been the true Artist throughout his life.``

The elderly lady looked at me and said, ``That`s just what that picture did for me, it spread the message of Hope.  Everytime I look at that picture, I am comforted.``   I also read to her from her bible by her bedside and then we prayed.  When I left her room, she was comforted, not only from the picture on the card, but by knowing what the Artist`s purpose was for the paintings and it was exaclty what she just experienced.  To give glory to God in expressing a truth and to bring revelation and hope.

Searan~