Dear praying friends, I have been given permission to share this powerful story with you. This is from my friend who is a professor and a seasoned intercessor. As you can guess, she has purchased this painting. She wrote to me:
"This painting-word comes in the midst of continuing upheaval at my university. Next year's budget is still unknown. My state legislators and the governor can't come to an agreement about it. Our chancellor unexpectedly announced her resignation. So, we will start the year with a brand new dean, a provost who has only been there a year, and no chancellor. In the midst of all of this, I have been asking should I stay or should I go? The word coming through the "Red Cardinal at Dusk" painting and the events surrounding it is telling me to stay.
In the painting, the red cardinal is sitting calmly and peacefully at dusk. It is holding on to the branch from which springs the promise of new life.
The word being spoken through this painting is amplified by its backstory. The painting survived the flood in your art room. And not only did it survive, it and the four other paintings it impacted emerged from the flood more beautiful than ever. (It is interesting how in the painting four branches split off from the main branch). There were five paintings involved and you write 'They were rescued at 5:00 AM that fateful morning when "disaster" struck.' Five is the number of grace. God's grace turns a disaster into something beautiful. The names of the specific paintings you mentioned that the red from the cardinal (the color of Jesus' blood) bled through speak volumes too: "BLESSING" ("A man walking in the garden with God is blessed)", "Freedom" and "A Flight in Wind."
So here's what it speaks to me, if I stay, and stay fixed to God (the branch), new life will come. God's grace will come amidst the flood and he will transform this place into something more beautiful than ever. Jesus' blood will release blessing, freedom, and the ability to fly even in the wind. And if I stay, I will get to be part of all of this. Jesus' blood, flowing through me, will help release blessing and freedom and the ability to fly in others and they will become more beautiful in the process. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). I can face seeming dusk and "disaster" with peace (and dare I say joy) because I know joy comes in the morning.
God is so good.
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Here's a follow-up story from another intercessor who wrote thus:
Hi Jean!
This testimony of the Red Cardinal really blessed me as I am going through a really difficult physical and emotional trial right now. Some days I could hardly bear it but know the Lord had healed me and manifestation is coming. Few weeks ago, a very young gal came and prayed for me and as she was praying she saw the vision of a red cardinal. Very interesting. That is why this testimony blesses me deeply.
