A Christmas Photo Session
The family Christmas photo above, like so many photos, is somewhat misleading. Here’s what I mean: It was the end of a long day when we arranged ourselves for the picture. We were tired and some of us were a bit irritable. It probably didn’t help that it took ten or fifteen shots to get one that we agreed was good enough to make public. A number of the of the shots were pretty funny to look at later–at least to ourselves–as some of our faces revealed impatience, disinterest, or annoyance.
As I was reflecting on the photo session (ordeal) and resulting photos, I was reminded of an illustration that Paul Washer shared–one that stung a little for me. He spoke of how it sometimes happens at a workplace when a person is having a ‘bad day’ that he reveals an ugly attitude to another coworker. The next day that same person might say something like this, “I’m sorry for how I acted yesterday. I just wasn’t myself.” Washer then went on to conclude that the person excusing himself for not being himself was in fact being just that. In our moments of trial and tribulation we reveal what is really deep down inside our hearts. It is humbling to realize that we are not as nice or as good as we thought we were.
My facial expressions in the Christmas photos–the ones I intentionally left out of this blog–were clear reminders to me of my lack of patience and of a complaining and grumbling attitude. Oh how I want to grow to have fewer and fewer of such moments not only when photographed but when caught off guard in the many and various trials, both big and small, day to day. I am thankful that we who have put our faith in Jesus Christ can say with the Apostle Paul, “Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Azusa, the children, and I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that 2020 began well for you and will end well for you in the Lord’s eyes.
Praise:
- for a good turn out for our “Christmas Night” candlelight service
- for our time together with friends and new acquaintances over New Year’s
- for Nate’s temporary job at the produce company–likely continuing through February
Please Pray:
- for continued growth and protection of the brothers and sisters at Siloam International Christian Church
- for our spiritual growth
- for wisdom for Nate and Azusa as parents and as bearers of the good news
- for the paperwork for Azusa’s visa to be expedited
We thank you for your prayer support!