Ethan & Jesus

A few nights ago, something happened that left a memory printed on my heart. Two Christmases ago, Granny Lewis gave us a beautiful painting by Liz Lemon Swindle called “Worth of a Soul.” It depicts an African boy being held by Jesus Christ. We immediately fell in love with the painting not only because of how applicable the message is in our life, but more poignantly I thought the little boy depicted looked like my son. Shortly after that Christmas, we had the painting framed and it has hung in our front entry for quite a while now. Being so small, Ethan hasn’t noticed it hanging up so high. And to be honest, I showed it to him when we first received it from Granny Lewis, but haven’t really taken the time to reintroduce it since.

Luckily a few weeks ago, a woman who can only be described as a living angel here on Earth had saw the same painting in Utah on a postcard and thought of us. She brought it home with her when she returned to Texas and gave it to me at a recent church event. I thought it was the sweetest gesture, but was so worried about the church function I was conducting that I soon forgot about it.

A few days later, Ethan and I were running errands and Liz Lemon Swindle‘s postcard of the painting came out of my handbag. Ethan held it and was curious. I kept my eyes on him while I was rummaging through my handbag, but again didn’t take the time to talk to him about the painting. It was then that Ethan put his hand on mine and said, “Look, Mommy. Ethan and Jesus.” I stopped. He wasn’t asking me if it was himself and Jesus. He was telling me that it was Jesus who was holding him. “Yes, Ethan. That is Jesus and Ethan.” I said. He stared at the picture. “Ethan and Jesus.” he said in his small voice again and then he looked at me with his eyes that know too much for someone so little and I knew he has seen Jesus and has been protected and help by Jesus.