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Good evening sisters and brothers; 
I am getting ready to say my evening prayers. It is a beautiful evening as I sit by the window at my desk at Dunblane. It was a very hot and humid day, but fortunately a cool south breeze is streaming through the open window, filling the room with the aroma of wild flowers and recently rained on earth. The birds have all called it a night and have gone to seek shelter , save for the lone cardinal whose unmistakable song is as beautiful as any hymn. I can see Bear Creek from here, and I like to imagine all the critters settling down for a good night's rest. 
Yesterday we set up Van Gogh's Corner at the same time as we made the brown bag lunches available . We set up my Echo device and cranked the music all the way up. The first choice was " Thunderstruck " by AC/DC. As you can see, the chairs were set up in a semi-circle beneath the shade of a lovely beech tree. It was very hot and muggy. Each chair had its own sketch pad and pack of coloured pencils. Being a holiday Monday, there were not many people walking by the church. There were some people who showed some interest,  but none sat down to sketch. And this is understandable. There is a certain vulnerability in producing art in front of strangers. One lady said that she loved art as a child, and that she would give it a try next week. As we chatted, "The Joker" by the Steve Miller Band blasted from the echo device, in the shadow of our church spire. 
As we were getting ready to call it a day, I noticed a gentleman walking up the sidewalk towards us. He claimed the last brown bag lunch. He was in rough shape. He looked as though he had not slept in days. He was thin as a rail, wearing ill fitting torn clothing and he was carrying an old and tattered knapsack. He looked at the chairs and the Van Gogh's Corner sign and asked what was going on. I detected a sudden and definite spark in his eyes. His demeanour changed faster than a nerve impulse. I asked him if he would like to sketch beneath the tree. He said he had something to do, but he dropped to one knee and nervously opened his tattered knapsack. I was unsure what he was doing, nor what he had in the knapsack. I became cautious as the downtown core has changed in the last few years, and one never knows what might happen. We expect the unexpected. 
What unfolded was unexpected. 
His tattered knapsack was filled with his own sketches. He said that he has always loved sketching. He proudly showed me some of his artwork. He handled each one as though it were a precious pearl , with care and love. I was absolutely floored. Creativity and imagination are inexorably connected to the Holy Spirit. I could see the spirit working in this gentleman. He said that he would try to make it for next week's Van Gogh's Corner. And as he walked away from the church, I felt transformed. Here was a gentleman who most people would walk by without even taking notice. Living on the streets, marginalized , perhaps suffering from mental health issues. Yet, his tattered knapsack was filled with hidden treasures telling stories of heartbreak and joy. 
How many sat down to sketch at our Van Gogh's corner? 
None. 
But it was a complete success. 
Grace is found in the most unexpected places. 
Let us pray 
Loving and gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. We give you praise and thanks for this beautiful day and for the miracle of your creation. We give thanks for artists, who see the world through a different lens. Through their creativity, imagination and spontaneity they make our world a much more beautiful and joyful place. Bless those in our little reflection group who express themselves through art. Remind them that their gift is a blessing to us all. We ask this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 
Diosito me los colme de bendiciones y alegria hoy y siempre. 
Paz 
I love you.