Behold the Fowls of the Air

Behold the Fowls of the Air, 2026, hand-painted latex acrylic on stucco and wooden hand built nest for the children, 88’L x 15’H For Lydia House, Long Beach Rescue Mission, Long Beach, CA
With special thanks to my dear sister Janie with whom I have had the privilege of serving the Mission, and who has taught me the ways of a covenant heart; to Jeff who heeds the call of God toward the needs of the people; and to the brethren of the Mission family whose lives are a testament of how our gracious God transforms trauma into triumph.

A prayer and praise for the women and children, the ones who seek renewal and restoration, and the ones who are called to serve them

Lydia House is a haven for our women and children as they persevere in a faith that fortifies them while building a life anew.

In Acts 16, we are introduced to Lydia of Thyatira who was a faithful business woman of textiles who was known for her luxurious Tyrian purple dyes. A Lazuli bunting, American goldfinch, and European goldfinch gather Lydia’s purple threads to build their home. The threads are the lifeline to redemption and they are plenty. Perfectly echoing God’s will for Lydia House, the threads are painted in Izmir purple—named after a Turkish city just north of Ephesus, which was the first recorded sanctuary city as documented in the scriptures.

While the Lazuli bunting prepares to weave—its name Lazuli deriving from the Medieval Latin word lazulum which translates to heaven—a European goldfinch guards the entrance of the garden. Because of their appetite for thistle seeds, goldfinches were often presented in devotional paintings during the Renaissance era as the thistle thorns echoed the crown of thorns borne by Christ. 

In this verdant garden, dandelion and sage take root, their medicinal properties offer healing to the ones who dwell here. They serve as a necessary reminder of God’s providence and provision, his exceedingly abundant blessings, and his promise of purpose in our lives.  

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? - Matthew 6:26

Some of the details that have moved and shaped my heart during my time here:

- Beginning the mural in this anointed space on the day of Passover, a day that commemorates liberation from slavery. For we are all called freedom, each and every one.

- Gathering in the sanctuary for our daily morning devotionals that set our day upon the light that will guide us. Take these our first fruits, O God.

- Sowing sunflower seeds with Sisters Laurie, Leatha, Tiffany, and Janie. Every day the saplings grow exponentially. My impatient enthusiasm makes it very difficult to resist taking off their little shell caps, but Ms. Laurie reminds me to leave them because they will release their casings when they are ready. We are planning to plant more.

- Being surrounded daily by so many children, who eagerly to pray for all of us. Blessèd be our little peacemakers.

- Ms. Medarda’s generous heart. She involves herself in the activities of others for the primary purpose of uplifting them, like training for a half marathon with one sister, and accompanying another sister to the dentist, just to insure that she goes.

- Shadowing our sisters throughout their day to understand the structure of their program as they begin their lives afresh. It has been a privilege to witness their dedication, even while facing such challenging life circumstances. It has been a privilege to learn and practice the art of surrender alongside them.

- Watching Ms. Jaira joyfully prepare food with such love. She is often found blending, chopping, frying, sauteéing something to share with us. Nopal tacos have become one of my favorite dishes.

- Impromptu flower arranging activities! We often receive flower donations. This has taught me that God not only blesses with the things we need, but that it pleases him to bless us with the things that bring beauty into our lives—these luxuries that we wouldn’t even think to ask for. What a generous God we serve!

- The divine love that permeates within this place. When I first arrived, it was difficult to know whose child belonged to whom because these women love all of the children as their very own. I am utterly inspired by the way they love.

- The way our spirit and bellies are fed by those who generously share in their knowledge, their time, and their treasures. Neither be there moths nor rust here.

- The dedication and faithfulness of our loving staff—these sisters whom God has delivered from such adverse circumstances who have been promoted into positions of influence and leadership. Remarkable is their patience and endurance. I love how the care for our sisters.

- Meeting Ms. Debbie who lived on the streets for 33 years before arriving here. And although quiet, she lives with a radiant joy in her heart. When I asked her how she maintained this joy (it’s apparent that it has never left her), she told me, It wasn’t easy, but I spoke to God every day.

- Sharing unending stories of what God is teaching us, his goodness that cascades upon us, and the ways in which he speaks so clearly to us. We speak of miracles all day long.