By Christine Hestwood,
Director of Music & Communications
Photos by Sue Faust
My friend Sue takes unique and stunning pictures. We can stand at the same vantage point, and I see a mundane fence and a field. She sees a small flower right by the fence and captures it in a photo. Her photo also captures the fence and field, but the tiny flower is the focus. She takes time to notice the little things.
Lately I have been reminding myself to look up. Too often, I am literally and figuratively looking down and inward, focused on my to-do list. Recently, I walked Cooper on a Sunday morning before church. I was running late, so I was focused on the path in front of me. I happened to look up and see the most gorgeous sunrise. I would not have noticed it if I hadn’t looked up.
I have a challenge for you this Advent season, the PHOTO-A-DAY CHALLENGE (see opposite page). The challenge will encourage you to slow down, look around (up!) and focus on things that have nothing to do with what can be a frenetic time of the year. You will allow yourself to take the time to experience the wonder of Advent, to enjoy the journey leading up to the birth of Jesus.
Words for the Beginning is a daily opportunity to take a given word and find it in the world around you. Spend a few minutes in the morning focusing on the word of the day. And then go about your day with that word in the foreground of your mind. When you see the word out in your world, take an actual photo that is inspired by that word. If you don’t happen to have your phone or camera handy, take a mental picture. Please consider sharing some of your pictures with me at [email protected].
Remember to look up and enjoy the journey!
