This painting follows timeless themes of path and horizon and has a rather unique story. The artist was the American Impressionist Theodore Clement Steele who was born and lived his life and art in Indiana. He began supporting himself by painting portraits when he was 16. This exact and walled-in style gave way to a career of less exact, light-infused and outdoor creations like this one along a muddy road in the Indiana countryside. At one point, Steele had a “studio wagon” enabling him to travel the long distances required to follow the light and beauty of the Midwest and devote these to canvas.

As we travel through many shades of night and reflection this Lenten season, as we push our way along any muddy, rutted paths of mistake, regret, and confession, we can turn to God, the eternal source of light, horizon and destination. Love everlasting and without conditions doesn’t only find us when the road is smooth and affirming. This love finds us when the road is nearly impassable, when we are stuck and stumbling in times of downward gaze with eyes that cannot, will not, see the light just ahead. And again, there it is. Joy in the morning, hope for a new day, new choices, new chances all rising in beauty with the sun. May we each now walk through our Lenten nights faithfully and then let our eyes and hearts rise in God’s rhythm and certainty with each inevitable dawn. Amen.

In faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty

Minister of Children and Families

Montview Church