Juliana of Norwich wrote these words, “All shall be well,” near the close of the 14th century, a little over 650 years ago. She was the first woman to to have her writings published in English. Juliana survived two rounds of the bubonic plague that decimated Norwich and she lived through decades of religious and social unrest. When I consider her life, I am amazed that she had this uplifting perspective.

I can’t fully comprehend wellness and healing unless I am first aware and accept my own brokenness and sickness. How often do we not even seek the medical advice of a doctor because we are in denial of our own illness? That was me for several years before I finally saw a doctor and found out why I had my symptoms: I had Graves Disease (a thyroid disorder). What about emotional and spiritual brokenness? I had a childhood trauma from when I was 11, that was completely buried in my soul until I held my beautiful baby daughter. I was 28 when my mind was flooded with memories of being molested by my school principal. When I see the news today of people wanting to teach all manner of sexual perversion to children, my heart is broken. I know what happens to the soul of a child when an adult foists their sexuality on minors. It is so damaging! This blog is getting very real and personal, and I’m a little anxious as I write these words. I am still on a healing journey from all this that happened so long ago (1971).

As I worked on this painting, I specifically chose to paint Madonna Lilies, which are native to Israel. Throughout art history these flowers have been painted to represent the Angel Gabriel telling the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Christ Child. The Angel said to her, “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God.” In my brokenness, I can hear the still small voice of the Lord telling me, “Do not be afraid Kathy, for you have found favor with Me.” What a gift of wellness for me! That God washes away my fear, that He loves me! And like a graceful butterfly, I break out of my chrysalis of isolation, and receive newness of life.