The ‘Voyage of Life’ and the Angelic Stranger

“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection.”

—Winston Churchill

Can we believe we have journeyed through another year? Like so many of us, I am joyously rushing around to clean off my desk and put away all the loose ends. I’m scheduling time for gatherings and visits with family and friends to celebrate the treasured moments of the holiday season.  

In the midst of my flurry of activity, I came across a book by Terry Glaspey that I had tucked away to the side of my desk for a later read. His writings explore, with fascination, the stories behind the greatest works of art. I decided to take a break from my “to-do” tasks to look through the book’s pages, filled with photographs of beautiful works of art. The first page I turned to held these words:

“For all the creatives who carry on the tradition
of expressing your faith with skill,
artistic integrity and a sense of wonder.
You are part the story this book tells.”

I felt as though God had presented me with my first invitation of the holidays: Open your creative heart and be inspired by other artists who express their faith through their works.

I continued to thumb through the pages of the book and came across a story of the artist Thomas Cole and his series of four paintings entitled The Voyage of Life, which is housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. 

These paintings immediately brought back a flood of memories. I took the book and nestled up in a blanket with a cup of tea to read more about the life of Thomas Cole. He was influenced by God and painted on canvas what some would describe as gentle sermons, rooted in the deep appreciation of the wonders and beauty of the natural world.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19.1 NIV

Thomas Cole was born in 1801 in England. His family migrated to the United States, settling in New York state where Cole discovered his calling for painting and found early success. His appreciation for God’s beauty gave him a fresh approach to landscape art which influenced other artists who would become known as the Hudson River painters.  According to Terry Glaspey, the Hudson River painters not only found nature as a refuge, but used it as a source of illumination, revelation, consolation and wisdom. They believed that God’s character was revealed in the glory of nature. Thomas Cole and his comrades believed that the souls of human beings could be transformed by meditating on the beauty of nature, and that the beautiful and good were closely related to one another. They felt that their artistry was a spiritual act of creating art, that is, a source of a “sweet foretaste of heaven”. They saw the contemplation of beauty in nature as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the contemplation of spiritual realities and a way to manifest God’s glory. 

Thomas Cole not only expressed his love for God’s glory through his artistic “sermons”, he penned eloquent poetry described as a collection of hymn-like celebrations of beauty and the One who created it.  “To walk with nature as a poet,” he wrote, “is the necessary condition of the artist.”  

One of his celebrated poems reads:

“Let us give thanks to God in love
He grants such glimpses of the world above
That we poor pilgrims on this darkling sphere
Beyond its shadows can our hopes uprear.” 

After reading through the story of Thomas Cole, I flipped back to the beginning of the chapter to view The Voyage of Life paintings. Many years ago, as I sat in front of this allegory of the four stages of human life (filled with both warning and promises about the seasons of life that lie ahead), I made one of my most memorable friendships.

Childhood

Youth

Manhood

Old Age

Thomas Cole, The Voyage of Life, a series of four paintings, 1840 - 1842

In my early years, I lived in Washington D.C. and the National Gallery of Art was one of my favorite places to escape to, be inspired, dream and reflect.  In the years to follow, I would move and settle on the west coast, but during my journeys home and for work, the National Gallery of Art was always on my list of places to go to be refilled.  I’d visit some of my “old friends,” the great masters:  Rembrandt, Titian, Rafael…and Cole.

My mind traveled back to the first time I met her --  my friend, Darlene….

After a long day of meetings, I felt depleted and tired, yet I knew I needed to refill my soul, so I headed to the east side of the museum. As I approached the gallery that houses the Thomas Cole Voyage of Life paintings, I was greeted by a security guard who, with a big smile, said, “Hello, Dear, are you okay? You look a little tired.”

At that moment, I took a deep breath and said,  “Oh, thank you for your greetings. I am okay, I just have had a long day, after a long travel journey the day before.” 

She reached out her hand and said, “Hello, my name is Darlene. What is your name?” 

I introduced myself.  We began to share a little about ourselves to one another.  As we continued to talk, I looked at my watch and said, “Oh, I will have to leave soon.” 

She said, “I understand. However, before you leave, I would like you to take the time to enjoy these beautiful paintings about the stages of our lives painted by Thomas Cole.”  She continued, “these paintings are inspired by God to show us that He is always with us. No matter what we face in life, He will always guide us. I know this because I lost my son who was killed in a drive-by shooting.  I did not have a job and was going to lose my home, and as I prayed to God for a job, any job, a friend, out the blue, called me and said that there was an opening for a security guard at the National Gallery of Art.  I quickly called to schedule an interview.  With no experience, I was hired and I’ve worked at the museum for a few years now.”

We talked a little more and exchanged our phone numbers. I shared that I get back to Washington a few times a year for business and would stop by to visit her the next time I was in town.   

For the next couple of years, I continued to have client projects that brought me back to Washington. Darlene and I would always find time to meet where she was working in the museum and sometimes enjoy a cup of coffee together.  She would also share encouragement and wisdom about God and His word through stories about the artists and their paintings in the different galleries to which she was assigned.  More often than not, we would meet in our favorite gallery – the one that houses Thomas Cole’s Voyage of Life paintings. When we could not meet in person, we would talk on the phone and pray together, especially around the holidays.

I was preparing for a trip to Washington, and, shortly before my travels, Darlene called me to say she may be getting a new assignment. I told her I would be in town soon and she said she would share the news with me when we meet at the Thomas Cole gallery room. 

When I arrived in Washington, there was a light dusting of snow on the trees, accenting the sparkles and glow of all the holiday decorations.  After a full day of meetings, I was so excited to see Darlene. I hoped that she would have time for a break to have coffee or hot cocoa to celebrate the holiday and her news.

I went directly to our meeting spot and, as I entered the room, I could feel the presence of God’s peace comforting me.  I looked around the room and could not see Darlene.  Instead, there was another guard standing at the other entrance of the room. I went over to him and introduced myself as a friend of Darlene’s and asked if he knew where she was.  “No, mam,” he said. “I am new here. I do not know a ‘Darlene’. You might want to talk to my manager, he is on the first level of the museum at the information desk.” 

I thanked him for his help, gathered my coat and hat, and almost ran to the first level of the gallery to see if I could find Darlene.  I looked at my watch; I knew it was getting close to closing time for the museum.  At the foot of the large grand staircase, I found the information desk and asked to speak to the security guard manager. 

An older man came out and said,  “I am the manager, how may I help you?”

“I am looking for my friend, Darlene, one of your colleagues, who has worked here for several years. She usually is stationed in the Thomas Cole gallery.” 

The man’s face began to search. “I am sorry, I have no idea who you are talking about. I have been working here for over 10 years and have not had anyone by the name of Darlene working here.”

I said, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, mam, I am sure.” 

I am sure he thought I was crazy.  I thanked him for his time, gathered my composure and walked back up the grand staircase to the Thomas Cole gallery. I sat on the velvet bench in the middle of the gallery, put my coat, hat and bag down, and took a deep breath.  Who was Darlene? I quietly asked God. Who was Darlene, this woman I had spent time with and talked to for the past couple of years?  What happened to her? Was she really a security guard? Did she really exist? 

The bells of the museum announced closing time. I put on my coat and hat, and, in a daze of confusion, walked outside to catch a cab. With tears in my eyes, I could hear Darlene’s voice saying, “Don’t worry, take care of yourself. Know God is always with you.”

A few days later, I arrived home, still pondering the mystery of Darlene.

I started to pen some thoughts in my journal, reflecting upon Darlene’s sweet smile and comforting words. She always knew just what to say to encourage me and fill my heart with a peace from God.  I opened my bible for guidance from God of His wisdom for understanding. My heart was led to Hebrews 13:2:

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to angels
without knowing it.

Was Darlene an angel? The last voicemail message she left was about her “new assignment”. Was it to help another soul find their way? 

As I put my bible down, I prayed to God.

Father, I know you know who Darlene is. Whether she’s a person of mystery or an angel, I know, with great comfort, that you sent her to encourage me with the wisdom to carry me forth in my walk of life. And, I know that is why You, God, had us meet in the Thomas Cole Voyage of Life gallery, so that, like Cole and his comrades, my heart and mind would be prepared for the contemplation of spiritual realities and see the Glory of Your work in all things; to embrace Your goodness and beauty through all the seasons of my life. Thank you, God, for introducing me to Darlene, an angel, maybe, who introduced me to the poetic beauty of Thomas Cole’s paintings and writings. 

This Christmas and holiday season, when you pass a stranger in a store, a restaurant, or on a walk, please make sure to say hello and wish them a holiday blessing, as you never know -- they could be an angel ready to give you a special message from God of hope and peace this gracious season.