OMSH

Last night while Jeff and I were letting Max and Lily out to “go potty” I looked up and saw the perfect photo. I don’t typically photograph scenery, but I framed the shot in my mind’s eye and had to have it. The sky was cloudy with an ominous deep purple and indigo. The moon shone bright through passing breaks in the cloud cover, casting a dark, stark outline of the bare branches of an oak below. Jeff commented it couldn’t be more goth unless a vulture set upon one of the branches.

I ran inside to borrow my 13 year old’s tripod (because I don’t have one – but by the grace of my father, she does) and by the time I was back outside, camera hooked in, the shot was gone. I waited for about 20 minutes for the cloud cover to let up, but it never did.

THAT is why I don’t photograph scenery.
Setting up a camera for a shot?
Frustrating.

Then I turned around and smiled.
The door of our house was opened wide and warmth filled me head to toe.
Kenny rested on the couch, feeling good for the first time in 2 days; I gave thanks for his health.
The Christmas tree sparkled in the foyer with gifts tucked under it; I gave thanks for the blessing of being able to gift my children and family.
The puppies’ pen made me smile – we are enjoying Max and Lily beyond what we could imagine; I gave thanks for God’s creatures that nurture our hearts in unexplainable ways.
The house spilled forth all the joy I’ve come to know and love as family and home; I gave thanks for the precious abundance of it.

This is my life – this is the “stuff” of photos.
I turned the tripod around and clicked.
Contentment.
Abundance.
Peace.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:4-7

Tomorrow is Christmas. While not the actual birthday of Christ, the celebration is no less precious; no less meaningful for those who embrace the Lord Jesus as Savior.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas of joy, peace, contentment, and most of all, love.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6