In The Cool Of The Day

“In The Cool Of The Day” by Betha Bach

The conceptualization of this painting was three years in the making.  Jesus has laid it on my heart not only to put the story on canvas but also to give a written account of the art’s meanings.

In the early morning of April 29th, 2019, I had a dream.  In the dream, I was in a classroom.  I was the only student and beside the teacher’s desk was an angel standing and giving me instruction.  The angel’s words of instruction transcended me into a vision. (Vision within a dream.)  In the vision, I was in a church where people were praising, worshiping, and praying to God.  The atmosphere was thick with the tangible presence of the ministering Holy Spirit.  Everyone was overwhelmed within that “presence” of the Lord. I was kneeling down with my hands raised in worship when I fell into another vision. ( A vision within a vision within a dream.)  

In this vision, I was taken into a garden by the same angel from the classroom where I was still seated. Although we were in the garden, I was acutely aware of the prayers and the praise of God’s children in the church where I was still kneeling.  I looked up and could see the people in worship.  I could visibly see the words of their prayers and praise entering the garden from their place of origin.  From within the garden, I could visibly see their prayers and praises being overwhelmed and consumed by God’s answers to each and every one of them.  I knew in my heart that the amount of faith that each person had for their respective prayers did not matter.  God answered each one.  The answers to the prayers transformed into the flowers, vegetation, and the beauty of the garden that was so magnificently brilliant that I could not (and can not) describe it in words or in the material world of art.  I thought to myself if I could just open my mouth and speak, then I would be able to describe it, but I could not speak.  

The angel then took me to the base of the garden, on the sand of a beach, by the sea.  He handed me what looked like a message bottle.  There was something in the bottle that I could not see, but I was captivated by what was on the outside of the bottle.  Etched in the glass were letters in dazzling colors that seemed to be alive and active.  The letters formed words that were all the prayers I have ever prayed and would pray to God during my entire life, as well as how He answered each and every one of my prayers. Joy consumed me to see how detailed God was in answering all my prayers and once again I thought to myself if I could just open my mouth and speak, then I would be able to describe it, but I could not speak.

The angel then escorted me to the top of the garden where there was a patio with a table and three chairs.  Jesus was seated at the table and the angel and I sat down with Him.  Jesus began to speak to us about the beautiful and wonderful plans that He was and is fulfilling for His people.  I could see His goodness was without measure and His love for His people.  Once again I thought to myself if I could just open my mouth and speak, then I would be able to describe it, but I could not speak.  As Jesus was speaking, He suddenly turned to me and reached out and gently touched my right leg to get my attention. He then said, “Do not forget this dream.”  I immediately woke up to an emotion of reverent awe of who God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are to me.  Later that morning I began my day with some time in devotion to my Father God.  I realized once again that there are no accidents with God.  My scripture verse for that day in the devotional I was studying during this season in my life was:

Isaiah 65:24 NLT

I will answer them before they even call to me.  While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

The title of this encounter with God is “In The Cool Of The Day”.  I chose this title because it is the time of day that is described in the Book of Genesis when the LORD would come to visit Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden. 

After three years of meditating on these visions within a dream, God gave me the answers on how to put it onto canvas to best describe it.  Look closely at this entire painting. It is painted with thousands of words and hundreds of prayers that I prayed to Him as He worked through me to adorn this garden onto canvas to glorify Him.

Thank you Jesus for allowing me and trusting me to honor you in this way!  To you, I give all praise and honor and glory, and to you alone will I give my worship!

Your Daughter,

 Betha