You, me, God, and Goliath

You, me, God, and Goliath, 2021, graphite, hand embroidery, medical tape, and photographic print on paper; resin, river stones gathered with my husband, and lichen collected with Jenny during walks through her sanctuary

In the book of Samuel, a feared Goliath challenges a shepherd boy to a duel. While the warrior girds himself in brass, a young David refuses the armor that will hinder his mobility and agility. We see that David’s armor is his unmatched confidence. 

In the valley of opposition, David collects five smooth stones out of the brook. With sling in hand, he smites the undefeated giant with a single stone. 

A pair of hands reach down from above as a gesture of support for those who stand against a pervasive threat whose god is power, and whose aim is to oppress. Husband and wife’s hands are bound by a lifeline, as one body, sharing in the afflictions of the many whose lives have been detained, displaced, defiled, and destroyed. His hands are swathed in medical tape that has been stained in battle—tape with which he wrapped my dislocated finger to aid in its healing. 

Amid the enduring fight for a true justice, we recognize that we can only harbor so much strength before growing weary beside the many who have stood beside us. Our hearts can only contain so much as we witness the immense suffering under the hands of a persistent Goliath. In these times, we reach toward something transcendent, a source of strength that is beyond us, to serve as our staff as our ankles tremble with fatigue and fear, toes gripping onto quaking ground. This second wind of strength sometimes erupts like a glorious meteor shower that illuminates the darkness. Other times, it comes as a soft whisper from the small quiet voice that has been humming steadily, awaiting our attention. 

So, we rehearse what we know from times past—that no weak heart shall prosper. And we rise up from the rubble to face the giant in confidence, though we know not what is to come. 

A prayer that we might see David within ourselves.