Cassie Chase
Working to create a spiritually healthy culture among Proven Ministry leaders, their communities and households by giving them space to attend to their heart, mind, body and soul.
-Currently working on Spiritual Direction training through Sustainable Faith
-Currently working on Massage Therapy License
–Passionate about creating a safe space for people and helping them behold the Lord’s affection in the disquieting places between hope and despair
During a particularly rough time, while in recovery from my third concussion, I hit a deep low. This concussion was the longest recovery, lasting over a month bedbound. “No stimulating activities” the doctor informed me, “no lights, reading, listening to music, etc…” I asked my friend to look up for me what “stimulating” activity I was allowed to do. While my mind and body had to decrease stimulation to get well, my heart and soul were mercifully crying out for something to stimulate it. Music, journaling, and simply being outside in the light are instant PEACE givers for my soul and those sources of life were stripped away. Upon researching, my friend found that doing art was allowed. I was given permission to create. Ever since I can remember, I always enjoyed creating. Whether it was “nature salads” from leaves and flowers as a child or sculpting and painting in art classes in school- creating has been a life giving outlet. And now, I was being given permission and a command that it was among the only things allowed for me to do. I then heard the Lord’s gentle shepherding voice: “My dear, I want you to behold one aspect of my beauty each day and illustrate it.” My heart then recounted and joined in with David’s prayer:
“One thing I have asked of You Lord and this is what I seek: that I may dwell in Your house all the days of my life, to behold Your beauty Lord, and to seek You in Your temple.” (PS. 27:4)
It was after this sweet conversation that He illuminated a time when I was in deep anguish, anger, and hurt, where, for the first time, I was able to see Him weeping over me saying, “I know….I understand.” I knew it was His face that needed to be the first beauty I beheld and illustrated. That painting now belongs to another cave dweller but oh the memory of painting that with Him is imprinted on my heart. The days and weeks following that experience with Him were filled with painting many different people that helped show His face to me. Whether I’m in the cave or out of it, His rod and staff still shepherd me the same: Behold one aspect of my beauty each day, my child.
