Lessons from My Photos App

Every now and then one of my girls gets a hold of my phone, and inevitably I am gifted with a string of new pictures in my photos app. There is no annoyance here, this is why I pay extra for storage on my phone - because I love these photos. Each one is a chance for me to actually see through the eyes of these small, amazing humans! And what has surprised me most is how many photos they like to take of me, and their mom, and other people they love. I’m pretty sure 80% of the pictures of me are ones my daughters took. haha!

And the best part is there’s no glamor or posing or even attention to a photo being taken. They just see someone they like and steal the moment away out of pure adoration.

That raw love is to be admired, and mimicked. It’s a small yet profound picture of love that models God’s love for the world. God’s love for the world that we celebrate in this season of Advent and Christmas. Without special presentation or even much preparation God stole a moment of love from the world by entering into it through a crying, fragile baby. Like a child Christ took years to simply look with wonder at the world around him, asking questions and making friends.

I wonder… if Jesus were born with an iPhone what pictures He would take? Certainly his mother and father. Probably the friends or animals around him. I imagine there would be some interesting photos of His favorite temples and the priests He was making friends with even at a young age. And you know, I really think that if you were around, Jesus would take a picture of you too. Because God loves you and cares for you. What would it mean to you if on Jesus’ hypothetical iPhone there’s a picture of you - not a glam shot, just you living life?

Will you pray with me?

Listen, it’s cold outside. And Christmas is coming, which is joyful and also stressful. Whatever you have going on in your life right now, would you take a second to pray this prayer below and breath in the truth that God loves you? God’s gift of presence in the world through Jesus Christ is for you!

God above and Christ with me.

There are many things on my Christmas list.

But none of them convey your love.

Help me see and feel in this season

that your profound gift of life is a gift to me.

Open the gift of your love in front of me

so that I will celebrate with joy today and forever.

Amen.

“Listening is the first act of loving.”

Steph