Susan LaffertyThe art was hidden by the crowds that walked through Mangal Bazaar that day in Islamabad, June 1997. Then I saw it. One particular painting drew me in. Maybe it was the camels. Or the street scene reminiscent of Karachi. In the mix of muted and bright, the blue dome of the mosque caught my eye.
“When I am afraid, I will trust in You, I will trust in You, I will trust in You….In God whose Word I praise.”
Steve Green’s “Hide ‘Em in Your Heart” recording of Scripture songs for children played often in our home. But this particular song was on repeat in my mind. On my lips.
Even after the kids were in bed fast asleep.
The simple Indonesian rice bowl broke.
It was a “free with purchase of dish detergent” blue and white china bowl. So common and ordinary. A reminder of my childhood.
But it slipped from my hands, hit the marble countertop in our Delhi flat and broke in two. The last straw in a long day, week, month…year.
And I broke.
Ordinary, simple vessel on the floor in pieces.