By Danny Hahlbohm, "Spreading the Word of Life through art."

"A few years back, I was going through some rather rough times in my life. One night, the Lord showed me something in a dream that makes me fall to my knees even to this day. He showed me a hallway with millions of tapestries hanging on the walls. They were all so beautiful... all different colors and shades, intensities and contrasts that made these tapestries come to life. Although they seemed not too clearly defined in anything in particular, at the same time they were very definitive in structure and tone. There were clear and precise images but I could not totally define them. One tapestry in particular seemed to draw me near, as if there was a special connection of sorts. At a closer look, I also noticed that the tapestry was not yet finished. The bottom strands were still hanging there waiting to be woven, almost like it was still in progress.

I turned to Jesus and said, "What is this Lord?" He said, "These are the handy works of God." I asked, "Why are some finished and others not? And why am I drawn to this one in particular?" He smiled and told me these words:

"These tapestries you see are the lives of all God's children, young and old, large and small. Each one is unique in color, contrast, composition and intensities. See how each color compliments the other? See the broad range of colors used to create each one individually? Each tapestry here is as individual as the person's life it represents. There are bright colors, which represent the highlights, or loves they have encountered. There are the grays, which are the lonely and sad times. There are the darker tones for the tragedies in their lives. Each color, each tone has a specific purpose. See how they all tie in and are necessary for the final masterpieces here before you. Without the dark tones, the brilliance of the lighter ones could not be seen, and see how the bright colors shine even brighter against the grays. All are necessary; all have a divine and specific purpose. Some tapestries are finished, as are their lives on earth. Some are still in progress.... such as the one you are drawn to. This is your tapestry you see here before you."

Then the Lord told me to step back from it all, to view the complete works of art in progress. As I did, all the tapestries seemed to mold together even though they were so distinctly individual. The further back I got, the more the pieces fit until when I was fully backed away, I could see the masterpiece of masterpieces. I fell to my knees and all I could do was cry for the beauty and significance of the Master's work.... they all merged together to form the image of the Lord himself!

I cry even now as I write these words down to you. How wonderful the Lord our God is! How masterful is He, the Creator of creators! To take each one of us and use our lives in such a way, that not only is each one of us so vitally important in this masterpiece but even all the dark and light threads of our lives are important to Him as well.

Dear friends, if you ever doubted whether or not God cares about the small things we go through in our lives, doubt no more. He DOES care and He is using those different threads in our lives to create something so wonderful. He is using our hardships and loves and sorrows and joys to become the threads used in His creation of a masterpiece portrait of His Son for all the angels and saints to see for eternity.

Never doubt the value you have before the Lord. Yes, you are worth more then the sparrows. Yes, even the hairs on your head are counted and yes He DOES see you in your hardships. Everything about you is so very important to the Lord. He is creating a masterpiece... in your name!

Sincerely,

Danny Hahlbohm"