There are paintings that get laughed at right up until I explain them and then the response changes dramatically.

Wanting a picture of the Savior for my home, but not caring for any that can be bought, I designed one suitable for my own needs. I call it “Follow Closer”.

This is not to reduce any of the efforts that others have put forward to help endear people to Christ. I just needed something different than what I’d found.

The intent was to remind myself that so long as I’m following Him anyway, I would do well to follow closer.

Today it occurred to me that this painting may have the same need as the popular Foot Prints concept. It would not do to simply show the footsteps, so the image is usually accompanied by verse that tells the story of those footsteps.

So here is my first draft version of a poetic accompaniment for the painting:

“Follow Closer”

When you and I go walking

We’re close, sometimes we touch

I hear your breath, we’re talking

the dose is not too much

We love that we’re together to wend along our way

and learn the things that happened

up to this very day

I can’t imagine staying a half a mile behind

or walking in your shadow (I know that you don’t mind)

Our days of joy in friendship are full of being close

We take this path together

We’re one or else we’re toast

But what then of the Savior who bids, “come follow me”

then leads the way before us so plain for us to see.

He bids, “let’s walk together. Let’s reason, you and I”

We follow in the distance to far to hear his sigh.

He stands as if to beacon, his arm out stretched for you

We hear, “please follow closer, I love it when you do!”

http://www.fenimorecentral.artspan.com/large-multi-view/At%20the%20Heart/2214603-1-189373/At%20the%20Heart.html#.U6koMrFBk08

Be sure to click on the plus sign at the upper right. That zooms.

As long as you’re committed to follow, why not follow closer?