My brother, Wynston Jr, came to visit Dad in Chattanooga in the summer of 1984, and finds him, as usual, working on a very interesting painting. He asked him what it means and Dad proceeds with this story…..
From 1916 on thru WWII, If a ship was in distress and in need of emergency help, he would send up flares to attract the attention of any ship that may be close enough to see them. The flares meant, "HELP!!! I am deeply damaged, and without help, I cannot make it." When that ship saw the flares, he would run up two flags…. Alpha over India, shine a spot light on those flags, and move towards the ship that was calling out for help...FULL SPEED AHEAD! The meaning of the flags, Alpha over India, is “coming along side to assist…I will not abandon you...I shall keep by you!"
After hearing this explanation, my brother said...
”Dad, this is the story of salvation!!!The mast is the shape of the cross…and Jesus is saying those things to you and anyone else that is in distress!!!!”
At the time that my dad painted this picture, he was a man beaten down by life, and he was sending up many flares of distress. Jesus saw those flares, and began to move towards him, with those flags held high saying “I’m coming along side to assist, Wynston, and I will Never Never abandon you.” That’s exactly what happened. Dad gave his life to the Lord a few years after he painted this picture, and passed into eternity in 1994.
Dad was a Navy man. He fought in WWII and was very patriotic. He had no idea he was painting the picture of salvation, and what Jesus does for each of us that cries for help. He ALWAYS comes alongside, and He NEVER leaves us, no matter what!
For 21 years now this painting has been a tremendous source of inspiration to my own family and the hundreds of people who have seen it and heard it's message!! I know that it is time to share this vision of hope with the world. Little did Dad know that when he painted it 32 years ago that it was for "such a time as this".
May Dad's painting bless you over and over again and make your heart dance as you see the story of salvation painted for you here, depicting the essence of LIFE...God being there for us and us being there for each other!!
