I took this photograph a couple of weeks ago, and I just can't get it out of my heart... It was the day I went to the Botanical Garden and I stood for several minutes photographing this flower....Now, when I go on an outing like that, I will take loads of photos and after careful editing, I will usually end up with about a third of what I shot (I learned that from a book by Bryan Peterson, one of my favorite photographers...I highly recommend anything he's written)...
But anyway, the point is that I shot this flower, I edited it and it wasn't until I had looked at it over and over that I finally noticed that one of the petals is missing a large piece...
Now one of the number one rules of photography is to make sure you really look when you look through the lens...it's all about seeing... Ever had a fountain or a column coming out of someone's head? Really seeing what is in your photo is so important...
So I was shocked that I had missed such an obvious flaw in this picture...I had been completely captivated by its color and beauty... But when I posted photos in an earlier post, I didn't post it because it wasn't perfection... And it occurred to me, that I am so thankful that God doesn't just toss me aside because of my imperfections!
We are all like this photo...we have imperfections...cracks... flaws... brokeness... and yet somehow, through Jesus, God sees amazing beauty. Our flaws don't make us useless to Him...He never tosses us aside...He loves us unconditionally and He works through us, regardless of our brokeness!
"We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from Him and not from us!" 2 Corinthians 4:7
What a sweet reminder of how much God loves me, that even though He could have rightfully tossed me aside as a hopelessly, broken vessel...full of imperfections...He chose to see the potential beauty of a life that had been transformed by His love!!
(Just a note, I've decided that I'm going to keep blogging...thank you for all of your encouraging words and ideas... I'm working on some ideas of how to change things up here a little...so stay tuned!)
5 comments:
I didn't even notice it either. I was enjoying it's color and beauty. Neat.
Yeah!! See, that post, that's why you can't quit blogging!
I am glad to see you've come to your senses. And, I too am glad that God doesn't toss us aside.... because... I tried on bathing suits today... and right then and there I wished he would toss me aside. Or give me a new body. I am NEVER eating again!
Hugs,
April
The title of your blog and your flower photo remind me of a wonderful tale by a storyteller named Stephen James. He tells the story of two pots created by a potter. One is beautiful and perfect in every way. The other is cracked without even a lid. Daily the potter takes both to get water but by the time he returns home at least half the water has leaked out. Later the pot notices that a trail of flowers has grown along the path where his water leaked out. He was specially designed by the potter, cracks and flaws and all, to grow flowers in the dessert.
Yep, that post is what I needed...again! Thanks for continuiing to blog.
YEAH!!! I was hoping and praying you'd keep blogging. I love your vignettes. They are always just what I need when I need it.
OK, keep me posted on your upcoming trip. I'm hoping you are able to share more details w/ me afterwards. And I'm hoping you and Abby have a great time visiting with your friends!!!
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