“For all our limitations, gestures of generosity, solidarity and care cannot but well up within us, since we were made for love.”
— Pope Francis, Laudato Si’
This painting, titled “center,” came at a time when I was contemplating what it means to hold center in the midst of chaos.
To know peace — to feel the unwavering hold of the Christ — as I awaken to the choices we all make in our daily routines—
Our consumer patterns—
Our looking the other way—
Our justifying who is in—
And who is—
Out.
Well, to do this, for me, right now, is challenging. Unraveling.
And yet.
The desire to do so, knowing I cannot do it—
This is what centers me. This is the gesture that places me in the hold of the one who holds all things together.
And with this truth—that we are all made in a way “that love cannot but well up within us”—
There is hope for us.
JULIE ANN STEVENS 
Julie Ann, I am so grateful your work was shared in one of Richard Rohr’s recent Daily Meditations. I am currently taking the Immortal Diamond online course and enjoying it immensely.
Indeed we are from love for love! And love never dies.
Julie Ann, I love your work . You have sense of color and image that transcend and lift our sights higher…to an amazing Creator and Loving God. Thank you.
The Center
Has no geometrical coordinates.
It moves with the wind
Washing the petals of our lives
With the colors of love.