A Note from the Artist...

This is a pencil portrait of Clarrie, a Salvation Army soldier in Townsville, North Queensland, in her teenage years long ago. I have submitted this work under the category “Building Healthy Communities”.  My gifting of artwork I believe is Holy Spirit given, a gift to be passed on to others, in order to help them increase in their faith, and add to a loving community of grace. Quoting: “A healthy, spiritual community is one that is guided by the Holy Spirit. It is one that is generous, welcoming, inclusive, loving and honest. And it is attractive – so it leads to more souls being saved.” 

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Last year, God gave me the gift of poetry, this year, it is portrait drawing and artwork. I only started drawing portraits a few months ago, and discovered I have this ability.  I have now drawn a collection of portraits from old family photographs.  This portrait of Clarrie took about eight hours to complete. 

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My church, Salvation Army Faithworks in Townsville, has many faithful saints like Clarrie,

who have been with the church for over 50 years. I have been attending the church for

less than 2 years.  I knew of family history connections to the church from way back to

my great grandparents in Townsville.  Clarrie helped me to discover that connection.  

It turns out we are connected through our family trees.  Clarrie shared a photo of herself

from the early days, which I decided to draw, bringing colour to a black and white photo.  

I gave her the original drawing as a gift. 

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God has placed in my heart a desire to see the returning lost generations to the 

heritage of their parents, in the Salvation Army church. I am praying for the original

heart of the church founders to be ignited in the hearts of everyone in the church,

particularly those younger generations returning and those newly coming into the

church. I am praying that the faithful older generation will be reinvigorated and

refreshed, as they delight in seeing God at work in younger folk to revive the Salvation

Army fire with new life, and go to work at guiding and loving on them. 

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I have written this poem as part of the stirring God has been putting into my heart: 

Generations 

Our God He sees, our family trees, 

The seed that does descend; 

In moments over centuries, 

Our lives, intwined, He's penned. 

 

God, do you see us, all as one? 

The lineage line of gold? 

The precious souls, that Christ has won, 

Are in the witness fold! 

 

And on that day, we'll gathered stand, 

With hearts so filled with love! 

The generations, by His hand, 

Embrace in joy above! 

 

The families, of ancient roots, 

A long, long line of faith; 

The tapestry, His blood runs through, 

To touch our kin, to save! 

 

And, so as one, with Christ we'll stand! 

As fathers, sons and brothers; 

The children, numbering like the sand, 

With daughters, sisters and mothers! 

 

This was the joy, that Jesus saw, 

That held Him to that cross; 

The assembling, of those yet born, 

Was worth the highest cost! 

 

So for the generations pray, 

Their lives be grafted in, 

So on that greatest day of days, 

Within the tree of Christ, they're kin! 

 

By Lisa Lawlor, 23/1/2021 

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About the Artwork...

Pencil Drawing

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About the Artist...

Lisa Lawlor

FaithWorks Salvation Army - Townsville, QLD