Camp Fire Destruction and Despair

On November 8, 2018, the most destructive wildfire in California history broke out in Butte County. The roaring blaze destroyed 153,000 acres,18,800 structures, and 86 human lives. Although the Camp Fire was contained on November 25th, just last week my friends were escorted back to their home to sift through the rubble in Paradise. My heart is heavy for those affected by the Camp Fire. Out of the numbness, feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, despair, and grief surface in their own time and their own way. The complicated path of recovery continues beyond when the threat is “fully contained.”

Advent Hope in Overwhelming Times

As someone who has suffered chronic pain and a disabling injury, I have personally navigated the path of  devastation and recovery with spiritual help. As a pastor I know that the holiday season can bring up feelings of sorrow and discouragement, seemingly at odds with “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” The Advent Season is not about distancing oneself from overwhelming circumstance and emotions. Advent is about dwelling in rock-hard circumstance with hope when hope cannot be seen. As a people of faith, we hold onto God’s promise. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.”(John 1:5).

Christmas Message: Cherish Love 

One of my favorite paintings, “Cherish” illustrates this Advent hope. After painting for quite awhile on a three-by-five foot piece of silk, I was discouraged by the mess I had made. It didn’t look anything like I had intended. Pools of color ruined the painting I had worked on so hard. I stopped and waited. I closed my eyes and prayed and let the dust of failure settle. For quite awhile I simply breathed and “let it be.” When I opened my eyes, I saw an image of the Madonna and Child and outlined it with quick sweeps of my paintbrush. In the midst of the mess God delivers profound hope in new birth. Among the rubble, love surfaces from God. Out of a ruined painting, the Spirit reveals the Christmas message: Cherish love wherever it can be found.

Sleep, Pray, Heal: A Path to Wholeness and Well-Being

My painting process is always prayerful. Creativity and spirituality go together. Joy and light, sorrow and dark, coalesce in my consciousness and art. When I could not depend upon my words due to brain injury, I painted my prayers. Later I found answers in the paintings. I discovered that the Spirit knows and will fill in the blanks. When I sift through the rubble the Spirit directs and inspires. My memoir, Sleep, Pray, Heal: A Path to Wholeness and Well-Being is a love story with Spirit and family told in a novel way. Good news! It’s coming out in 2019!  More forthcoming! Sign up here so that you won’t miss out.

Spirituality Through the Ashes

If you’re interested in reading on spirituality and recovery, here’s a great book: Breathing Underwater: Spirituality and the 12 Steps by Richard Rohr. I pray for those who are sifting through the rubble. The Spirit is able to lead us through emotional, physical, and material ashes. I pray that your paths to recovery will be supported by faith, hope, love and cherished ones. Blessings to You and Yours, Donna P.S. The blog format is new to me.  I would love to read your comments.