Graffiti Grace

Their story captivated me.  How creative you have to be when you live in a country where 3% of the population is Christian and God has called you to be a missionary there. 

"How do we do this, God?"

"Graffiti," God answers.

And so began their campaign to erase the prolific graffiti from the public surfaces in their town in Spain.  It was a brilliant plan.  What city and neighborhood leaders wouldn't back a plan to beautify their environment? 

My favorite part of the story:  a tunnel, a mural, an artist.  First they paint black over the graffitied walls of the tunnel.  Then the artist on their team begins to paint his beautiful vision.  Who should wander up but three young, delinquent, graffiti artists and taggers, curious about this project.  (Why does the number 3 always make the story better?)

In a stroke of inspiration, the artist puts the boys to work helping with the mural.  It catches the attention of the newspaper.  In the end, there is a community celebration and private prayers that the tiny seeds planted along the way would lodge and grow in hearts and eventually grow into a church. 

I love a good story, but when it rainbows a bigger truth, I am truly moved.  God takes the grimy, graffiti-stained walls of my life and paints them fresh and blank.  He gives vision and community to slowly, faithfully paint the mural, which tells the story, which is meant to be shared and celebrated.

My life mural is not finished until my last breath, but there are milestones to be celebrated as portions of the picture are completed.  When He brings unlikely people and circumstances to contribute to the painting, doubt and resistance flare up, and I must remember He is there in the tunnel holding the completed sketch and nodding approval, as He reassuringly whispers, "It's OK.  You think they are going to wreck your painting, but actually, they are painting the most beautiful parts, and they are making you a better artist."

Because I loved their story so much, Rob and Nancy, the missionaries from Spain, left an envelope for me on my music stand with the words "Thank You" written in crayon.  Inside was this pastel drawing by the artist in their story. 

My eyes blurred with tears when I saw it.  COME, He says.  Be fully in this story and trust Me all the way.