Going to the Altar of The LORD
“Dancing” by j. Elise Diaz
11” x 14” Gallery-wrapped Bricolage
October 2022
Dancing: “You turned my mourning to dancing.” Psalm 30
As children, my siblings and I got a kick out of watching the church ladies “get happy” on Sunday mornings. I remember my mother saying that sometimes it was an outpouring of the women’s accumulated, daily pain. The suffering they went through on the regular in their individual and sometimes collective lives. Mama said, “Sometimes you just get full” and “Sister Booker’s husband an abusive man and they have so many mouths to feed.” “Sister Harper got that disease, Cancer and Sister Walker had just lost her home. No place to go.” As a child, I could not understand Mama’s words but now, as an adult I can feel their struggle in a very real way. Going before GOD on those Sunday mornings was not only a relief for many, but it was also a time of replenishing. There at the Altar of The Lord, many laid down heavy burdens and received the strength they needed to continue their journeys.
“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
This piece is still in process. It takes my patience to get every little detail right.
“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
Note- The rhythm in my childhood church came from the piano and the hum of the people. Baptist folk did not do bands!😀
Be blessed to dance!
