Let's Take a Picture!

 
A barnyard peacock!

I read these words in Valerie M. Bodden's book, "Pieces io Forever." Thought it was worth sharing.

"Children of God, How do you feel about having your picture taken? I only ask because family picture day was always my wife’s favorite day. Mine, not so much. Which is probably why I’ve put off getting them done since she went home to the Lord.

"But when my son came to me last week and said we should get some new family pictures taken, I reluctantly agreed.

"We had a great photographer, but I can tell you that there’s one thing about those pictures I’m not going to like. Wouldn’t like no matter who took them. They’re going to show this. Pastor patted his somewhat rounded middle.

"I’m hoping maybe she can do some magic with Photoshop to make me look better. Maybe give me a body-builder body.

"What about you? What do you see when you look at a picture of yourself? Do you see your wrinkles, maybe your thinning hair. Your scars?

"And those are just the physical imperfections. We can go deeper too. What about mental imperfections? Are you bad at math? A terrible speller. Not so great at geography?

"And let’s go deeper still. How about the spiritual imperfections? Is all you see when you look at yourself your sins? All the times you’ve done what you know is wrong? The times you’ve failed to do what was right?

"Makes a pretty ugly pictures, doesn’t it?

"You ever wonder why God chose you? I mean, surely there are people out there who are prettier, smarter, kinder, than you, right?

"I mean, He’s God. He could have anyone He wants. So why would he pursue you? Why would He want me, with all my faults and failures, my flabby abs and bald head and terrible spelling and filthy sins?

"Oh beloved. Don’t you see? God doesn’t love you in spite of all of those things. He loves you because he has erased all of those things. He didn’t just go in with Photoshop and touch you up a little here and a little there. No, He changed your whole picture with the blood of Jesus. He has erased every last trace of sin, every last imperfection, and He has made you perfect in Him.

"The next time you look at a picture of yourself, do me a favor and see it as God does—an image of His masterpiece, redeemed from sin, created to love and serve Him. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in My hand,’ God says. Remember that. Amen."

 By His Grace . . .