I took myself on a wonderful walk through Riverwalk in Hillsborough, North Carolina. It was a glorious spring day in the middle of February. I put in my headphones, cranked up my walking music and really enjoyed the day.
I enjoy walking once I get myself out there; it is the getting myself out there that sometimes is the challenge. Just laziness or procrastination, if I am honest. This is my time, my time to commune with God. Nothing deep – just me sharing how I feel, what is happening in my world, questions, concerns and such – – you know – Praying
“And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there; none other has ever known. “
As I became tired, I found a comfy bench and sat down. In another day and time, I may have been a cat. I love to sit and bask in the sun. The warmth of its rays on my skin invigorates me, lifts my mood and just feels good. As I closed my eyes and tilted my face up into the sun; I felt the love of the Son beaming down on me, and I soaked it in.
As I sat there I began to think of His goodness and His love for me.
As a photographer the camera allows me to express myself, to show and express the beauty and love of life around us. During photo shoots I work to put the client at easy, compliment them and help them to feel beautiful. Most times, the lens is not focused on me. I am too quick to find my faults or “I wish this was different” items. But as I sat there in the sun, with the Son all I felt was His love and His reminder of how He sees me.
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. ” Psalm 139:14
And I allowed myself, to see me as His beautiful creation.
As the Lord encouraged me, I would like to encourage you…. see your own beauty. Stop being so quick to see or point out the negative. We all have something that we would like to change or could work on, work on it. But let your focus be on encouraging yourself, taking care of yourself, sticking up for yourself and LOVING YOURSELF.
Be a source of inspiration and encouragement for others. People face things in their lives that tear them down and cause them to feel negatively about who they are or who they can be. Let your life, your voice, your very countenance be one of hope, encouragement, and show forth the love that God shines on all of us. Be the sunshine in someone else’s day.
