PSALM 42

CONCHITINA SEVILLA BERNARDO

Psalm 42:1-2

As the deer longs for streams of water,^a

so my soul longs for you, O God.

This is my favorite psalm, Psalm 42  It opens with a profound expression of spiritual desperation and longing: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”

Sometime ago I was asked to choose an animal that represented me best . My spirit animal. I chose a fawn. Not the magnificent buck with majestic antlers and proud countenance. Neither the Doe, soft, caring, and graceful . Rather I chose the fawn, quietly cautious, afraid, and totally curious. Discovering life, devoid of any real apprehension. Vulnerable.  Just being a fawn.

These two, the psalm and the fawn combined to give me a theme for my paintings. I share them with you.

Laying down , among the grass and trees, careful not to be noticed is this fawn .

I see myself in the fawn . .. vulnerable, waiting on the Lord who comes to me through nature in gentleness and significant moments: the grass to lie on, the birds that serenade me, the breeze that cools me, and my mother coming to nourish me .

Sometimes I discover a friend…

I go to the waters to replenish life and my soul.

I see the water as a source of nourishment and enrichment. As I read the passages of the Bible, I close my eyes in meditation. Often, a word, a passage speaks to me. I am conversing with God! My cup overflows like the river spills out of the canvass that I have painted.

Here the fawn is at peace, full of joy, near a waterfall, drinks her fill and is just grateful for life.And very very often He lays by me and whispers “ I love you. My fawn.“

I share this with you. Intimate as it is to me. It is a part of my relationship with my God. I hope you find merit in it.

Through my paintings I give Him praise.