Anam Cara Paintings - Story 1
Detail from anam cara heart painting #160056 “Just the Way You Are”
All the Anam Cara heart paintings are left untitled, so they can be named by the person who bonds with them. At the same time, they all share my private working title: “Just the Way You Are.”
Here’s the story behind that.
In 2013 I was driving to Atlanta for a meeting. Into my thoughts rose the song “Just the Way You Are.” So I started singing it.
Right after I sang the phrase “When will you believe in me, the way I believe in you?” my world turned upside down.
Suddenly I heard this entire song as a love song FROM God. To me. To us.
The song painted into every Anam Cara painting
I listened to this song while working on every Anam Cara painting. I still hear it as a love song from God. Which still brings tears to my eyes.
Clever conversation?
This song helps me remember that God just wants to talk to me. Not to hear my ideas about religion and theology. Nor to watch me try to prove that I’m worth loving.
Please don’t let my story get in between you and the love embodied in this song, “Just the Way You Are.” You may have your own reasons for not liking the name “God.” Pick a name you like! I’m just telling you my own story, as I understand it now.
Over the years I’ve pondered each phrase of the song. My resistance to each part has gradually melted. It just brought tears to my eyes to hear “Don’t imagine you’re too familiar, or I don’t see you anymore.” Perplexing, though, to imagine God saying to me — “You never let me down before.” I accept this as a mystery. As an awesome wonder.
You might want to ponder the phrases for yourself: “Just the Way You Are” lyrics (Opens in new window.)
More story about the Anam Cara paintings later — perhaps. This story, really, is all you need to know about the paintings and about me.