Dr. Jorge Catrip and Dr. Bob Kiaii on first visit back after surgery
If you are reading this, you have seen the pictures in the back pages of the devotional ‘40 Days in the Man Cave’ and are curious as to what the story is behind the photos.
Back in 2010, I had numerous questions for God.
I completed many pieces of art during a challenging time in my life. In a way, art became a means of expression for me. It was cheap therapy.
One night while I had some free time, I went for a walk. That particular day I was extremely stressed so I asked God to show me an idea in order to draw something significant. Before I even got to the end of my driveway I believe God gave me a distinct visual image of a heart with a band-aid across it. I could picture the idea in my head instantly. So back inside I went to start the painting.
There was something powerful about the simplicity of this art. The colors within the heart. The significance of a band-aid. String woven over and over around the heart. On the left side, the string is tight whereas the right side has become loose and unravelled.
Pain that requires a band-aid. Aches need time to heal. I also assumed the dark colors I chose were due to the fact my own heart had become hardened and crusty.
As I shared this drawing, I could sense people identified with the painting. Heart Art became personal.
Fast forward a few years. I am not feeling well. I have little energy for activities
After some visits to the doctors and specialists, I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Basically, I had a valve that was not closing properly so the blood going to and from my heart was not being oxygenated the way it should.
After many appointments, I was referred for surgery at London University Hospital,
We will never forget his explanation as he took a pen, opened a pamphlet with the diagram of a heart and began to explain the main issue with my heart. While describing, he circled the exact area of a mitral valve.
Dr. Kiaii also discussed how there are fine ‘cords’ that open and close the valve Mine had come apart and were all loose and flimsy like a parachute. Since the valve did not seal properly, my blood would not receive enough oxygen.
Dr. Kiaii was confident he could repair my valve robotically. He even went as far as to say, ‘It is almost like attaching a strong band aid on your valve’!
After driving home from a very emotional day, Sherry was sitting quietly in our home. She placed the Heart Art framed picture directly in front of her. She said to me, ‘Do you realize all the things Dr Kiaii said about your heart are in the drawing’?
The band-aid was in the location of the defective mitral valve, the strings all woven loosely around the heart. The colour in the art reflects how the heart would react without proper blood flow. There is just a slight glow of colour underneath the bandage?’
God gave me a vision to paint a prophetic picture about my future. From that moment, we knew God had a plan. On the day of surgery, Sherry brought the art and kept it in the operating room, ICU, and recovery.
God had a plan, and the story became so much bigger than just a piece of paper and some paint.