Celebrating Thresholds
For, as if instinctively, our soul is uplifted by the true sublime; it takes a proud flight, and is filled with joy and vaunting, as though it had itself produced what it has heard.
—Longinus, On the Sublime
The poor and homeless do not always remain poor and homeless. Sometimes, the unbelievable and exciting happens; they find income, a home, and the first flushes of a renewed hope. They become what is known as “transitional”. Simply put this means that they can still recall the day that they were not like the “foxes who have dens or the birds who have nests” and needn’t worry about food or clothing. I remember the excitement of my first place. How much more exciting when one can still remember the great necessities and degradations of street life.
There is reason to celebrate, and for us to share in their excitement with creative acts of love and beauty. With them we can help make their place a home and demonstrate to them that they have genuine value. We can do this by donating art (a photograph, a painting, or a sculpture) to help beautify their space.
Why? Because there is something spiritual to beauty; it forces us to ruminate on the God of creation who as Charles Spurgeon reminds us “decks himself in majesty and arrays himself in beauty.” By sharing beauty with them we, also, show them a glimpse of God; it will be a daily reminder of His beauty. Also, giving generously demonstrates a love of the individual, humanizes and expresses shared joy in what is genuinely an exciting time in their life.
Should you like to donate your own art or purchase art for one of these transitional people, please contact us. We will provide a name, back story, and arrange for you to give it to them personally.