A story about a family outing leads to a personal concept of the Creator.

It was one of those special days that don't seem to come often enough. Warm, but not too warm. A hint of a breeze, but not windy. A few small cotton ball clouds floating aimlessly in a clear blue sky. It was a special day.

Egan was admiring all this while standing on the church steps after services and waiting for Sue and young Ward. Of course, Sue had to take time to visit with her friends, and Ward was joking with his Sunday school buddies. Normally, Egan might have been quietly miffed by the delay, but not today. It was too nice a day.

Soon enough, Sue and Ward were ready to leave, when Ward asked, "Dad, have we got any plans for today?" "No, son, what have you got in mind?" "Well, I was kinda hoping we could go down into the grove and have a picnic by the stream. Maybe I could catch a fish".

Sue thought that was a great idea as well and remarked that it was a perfect day to spend outdoors. "Well then, let's hop to it," Egan responded.

The ride home was short and happy. Sue quickly packed a lunch, and the three were soon aboard the old farm truck and headed for the woods. On arrival, Ward jumped out and baited the hook on his cane pole. Egan and Sue spread the blanket, and in no time they were enjoying lunch. Suddenly, Ward spoke up to say, "I've got a question." Egan looked at Sue. "Oh boy," he thought, "here it comes!" Turning to Ward, he said, "What is it, son?"

"Well, Dad, in Sunday school we've been talking a lot about the Creator and creation, and I'm a lot confused. It seems like God has so many names and titles that I just don't know what is His proper name?"

Egan could now breathe again. Likewise, Sue had appeared a bit flushed.

"Son, that's a good, honest question, and I'll try to give you my slant on it. For me, I like to call God my personal Artist. As I look over our fields, I see many different colors. Our trees have leaves of green, but they are not all exactly the same green, are they? No, only a true artist could make so many shades. Our melons change colors as they ripen and grow. So with the corn. Wheat has that beautiful fawn color your mother so admires. As we look at the grass in this meadow, it has many shades and colors, too. Only a true artist could give us so many colors. Of course, scientists can give us many reasons for all the colors we see, yet the scientists also join us in church to stand in awe of this artist. Yes, He is our Creator of Heaven and Earth, but to me, a simple farmer, He is an Artist.

"Everything we see and touch we owe to Him. Just look at the artistry in my Masonic Lodge. There's the deep blue altar cover with the gold fringe, and the altar is so wonderfully hand carved. My Artist gave someone the talent to do that carving so that person could display his artistry. When your grandfather wears his white cap to the Scottish Rite, he also thanks the Artist for making him a special person who enjoys helping others. That, too, is artistry. So you see, son, we are surrounded by works of art, all given to us in one way or another by what I call my Artist. You can feel free to call Him by your own special name. But always remember that artists create. We've been talking about the only true Creator.

"Now let's dig into the meal, enjoy the day, and then get back to the house. I've got to get an early start tomorrow on some painting." Whereupon Sue remarked, "And I hope, when you're finished, it will have some semblance of artistry."

Some days are just ideal, as though an Artist created them.

Jack A. Hendee is an Iowan by birth and a Californian since 1952. He was raised a Master Mason in Lorenzo Lodge No. 709 (now merged with Acacia Lodge No. 243), Hayward, Calif., in 1959 and is a member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Al Bahr Shrine, all in San Diego. He retired from a career in marketing, sales, and distribution. A former Director of Boys and Girls Mental Health Society, he now pursues several hobbies: writing, fishing, ham radio, photography, and boating where he holds a U.S.C.G. Master's License. He is much too busy in all Masonic Bodies but looking for more to do.