MASTER ARTIST

Eighteen months, ago my husband and I had just moved here from London. We were living in a shortterm apartment at the end of a harsh winter, and I was feeling very sorry for myself. I was sure the Lord had led us here, yet I felt so alone. We had not yet found a church where we felt comfortable, and were finding it hard to make friends. Everything seemed so different and difficult, and I was terrified to go out as I was used to driving on the left and the weather was still bad. I missed my UK friends and spent endless time on the telephone and e-mail. I really was being a bit pathetic.

I prayed that the Lord would lead me to the right church and that I would fit into and be used in the community. I read endless books and found comfort in prayer.

One day a dear friend from London, Wendy, phoned to tell me to expect a call from someone called Karen who was coming to DC to join her husband, who had just started work close to my husband’s office. Wendy, who knew Karen through church, asked her to ring and hoped for us to meet up as Karen’s husband was also finding it hard to find friends in the United States.

A week later Karen called, and we arranged for the four of us to meet in Alexandria. We had a lovely day, and all got on superbly. Karen and I decided to meet the next day while our husbands were at work; this was such a blessing as I had been so alone for weeks. We planned to meet for coffee and go to a Smithsonian exhibition. Not knowing each other’s tastes, we were open about what to see and went to the Castle to find out what was on exhibit. While we were getting information, a woman came over and recommended that we see the wonderful temporary exhibition at the Arts and Industry Building: “Nature’s Jewels.” So we did.

We were stunned by the natural beauty of this exhibition of live butterflies and orchids. As we left we looked at each other and agreed: “and we had wondered what sort of art we wanted to see, and who our favorite artist was.” It was a beautiful crisp day, so we found a seat on the Mall and gave thanks to the most wonderful artist and beautiful creator, our Lord and our God.

— Suzy Donaldson

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist