This is a painting based on an image that I woke up to last summer. The cup is a Chinese gaiwan, which is a bowl that is also a cup used for tea. In the image, I saw a cup that was also a basket made of bamboo. I watched as a cloth white napkin was folded and placed in the cup/basket. Afterwards, a hand presented a pretzel. It was placed on top of the napkin and presented perfectly.
The pretzel has an interesting history that I had not been aware of before. In the distant history of the Catholic Church, it is believed that monks would give children, who memorized their prayers, pretzels. The pretzel, looked like arms crossed in prayer. These soft, doughy pretzels were given to the poor, as a spiritual and literal sustenance. The pretzel represented luck (blessing), prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment.
As I watched this presentation, I was aware of the show quality. The process was meant to be seen. A presentation or ‘show’ is meant to draw attention to something or someone. In this case, it is meant to draw attention to the Lord. What does that mean? The Lord is going to show off. Where many have given lip service, but in their hearts do not know who he is, they are about to see. He is going to show how he will provide and take care of those who are his.
I have seen God provide for me over the years in many ways. He is faithful. As I was asking him what to include in this, I got Mt. 10:10
‘no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.’
I believe there will be more of his people who will be living and walking in this verse in the days to come. (I would like to add, that I would never tell someone to quit their job and be a hippie. Mt.10:10 says the worker, not the gamer.)
Melicia Evans 