The Ship

   I always liked the painting that I had purchased years ago from Brother Slater.

I was thirty years old with a growing family and I wanted something for my home that would look good over the mantle. This was a true work of art, an oil painting on canvas. It depicted an old sailing ship plowing through the sea on a dark night and yet back-lighted by a glimmer of moonlight shimmering through a hole in the clouds. He had painted it a couple of times and this third version was a little darker with deep black-blues and yet the moonbeams clearly illuminated the ship pressing on through the darkness at full sail to it’s destination. We bought a dark stained frame that seemed to compliment the mood of the ship and sea.

   When I looked at the painting, I saw the ship as my life, or for that matter, anyone’s life, forging through unknown territory, surrounded by unseen hindrances and yet plunging toward our destinies. The moonlight represented wisdom that shows us where we are as we struggle through the sea of life; it doesn’t allow us to see far off, but we can clearly glimpse our present circumstances. The bow of the ship has two lanterns thrusting a red light on the port and a green light on the starboard so that passing ships can determine their direction. Brother Slater had been in the navy in World War II and he had served on aircraft carriers in the Pacific campaigns. He had sailed on night seas and was well acquainted with the scenario that he painted. At that time my direction was uncertain and there have been many course changes that would ultimately lead me to where I am today. The ship reminded me that though I was surrounded with uncertainty, there was always light that would help me see the way and stay on course.

   Over the years my ship drifted off course and there were times when the moonlight was completely obscured by the stormy clouds above. Eventually my marriage crashed on the rocks of despair and I lost track of the painting along with many other things I valued. Over the next twenty years, I forgot about the irreplaceable oil painting as I moved across the country and started a new life in North Carolina.

   After 18 years in the Carolinas and almost 15 years with my beautiful new bride, I had occasion to travel back to the old life and renew some old treasured acquaintances. My brother Ted asked, “Would you like to see Brother Slater” and I said, “That would be great”. He and I visited with Brother Jack for over three hours and had a wonderful time reminiscing over past experiences. Brother Jack is 82 years old now and though he said he doesn’t paint anymore, I noticed that he had many of his personal oil paintings displayed throughout his home. As we looked through his gallery, I remarked to Ted that I used to have one of his paintings, but that it had been lost after my separation from my first wife.

   Brother Jack looked at me and said “David, I didn’t know that you had lost that painting. You know I haven’t painted for three years, but if you would like for me to, I’ll paint you another picture of that ship”. I was stunned and delighted, and above all, honored, that he would even consider painting a new picture for me. Especially, since he had basically retired from painting. I love Brother Jack for the great Christian example he has always been and for the grand times we have shared together. In my life, he preached the light that shined through and guided my ship on my voyage. When my circumstances were shrouded in darkness, it was me who ignored the light and strayed from the light to wander under the clouds of indecision.

   I told him that I would be honored to have him paint the ship again. I wondered if he really meant it and whether he was still capable of painting at the same level that he used to. About a month later, I was thrilled to get a call from Brother Jack. He said he was finished with the picture and he thought it just might be the best version of the ship he had ever done. With Ted’s help, I arranged to have it shipped to North Carolina, Cheryl helped me find a suitable frame and I now have the ship proudly hanging in my home where it rightfully belongs. It’s not exactly like the old painting, it’s lighter, with gray tones and it has highlights of golden moonshine sparkling on the water. I’m reminded that my voyage and his are more clearly illuminated and though we are further down the journey of life, the light still shines down to show us the way, even on the darkest night. And you know what, he’s right, it is the best he has ever done.

THE SHIP