This image was traced within my heart many years before it made it onto paper. It’s how I envision my relationship with Jesus. The woman in this image represents the Church as Bride of Christ, as well as each of us, individually, who are called into relationship with the Divine Bridegroom. She believes in the Love of the Sacred Heart for her, having beheld the torrent of compassion that gushes forth from Its piercing. Her whole being is focused upon that Heart of hearts, and she asks her Lord to draw her into the depths of the Ocean of His Mercy. The wind visible in her flowing hair is symbolic of the Breath of the Holy Spirit, and her billowing garments are emblematic of His action within her, arousing her heart with the power and beauty of grace. Here is a poem, spoken from the lips of the Bride, calling to her Lover.
Deep Calls to Deep
(A Poem by Adelaine)
Your Breath surrounds as grace abounds and every lesser thought is drowned in You.
The shore holds nothing more for me.
The shadowlands and desert sands no longer seem to be so grand as long ago.
Yearning sighs and prayers arise for greater heights than I devise
And deeper depths than I can dream –
My latent self has been redeemed.
The winds of Your Spirit have uttered new lyrics
And called me to dance to the song that proceeds
From an endless spiration of pure elevation:
The God who creates, recreates and redeems.
Your glory invites a new sky of delights as Your beauty and might glisten forth.
Unchained by higher planes than the familiar
My former space has been effaced by vistas borne of beaming grace and quiet peace.
Your love allured and power conferred what once Your whisper in me stirred:
A longing for our hearts to be
As One, in lovers’ unity!
The winds of Your Spirit sing sweetly Your lyrics
As I take my place in the song that proceeds
From an endless spiration of pure elevation:
The God who creates, recreates and redeems.
As my soul harkens the old ways darken and courage heartens my fears,
Swept up in waves of higher ways than mine.
I wade into You, You soak me right through with Mercies imbued with healing.
Dissolving away my former clay until I’m clothed in Your array
Confirming what the Cross has won:
A soul transformed by sin undone.
The winds of Your Spirit have brought forth my lyrics
As bravely we dance to the song that proceeds
From an endless spiration of pure elevation:
The God who creates, recreates and redeems.