Title this snapshot! At the bottom, I'll give you my mine.
Snapshots.
They capture moments in time of people, places and things. More importantly, often they capture memories. That can be a good thing or sometimes not. Some snapshots, in our minds, we would like to forget.
When snapshots are good and not so good together, we sometimes call them bittersweet.
Let's take the snapshot one step further. Did you know in the movies, the first encounter between two people who become romantically involved is called a Meet Cute? Yep, there is a term for it. Look it up! The movies are so good at getting 'hooked'. And for those of us, yes I am one....I often fall for jokes and other silly things- you guessed it, hook-line-and sinker.
Here's another take on a snapshot. Stereotypes. What comes into your head? Is it a type of person? Does it relate to a style of music? Stereotypes can be based by gender, age, lifestyle, education, geography, job, friends, etc.
In today's society, most of us use some sort of social media. Now there's a snapshot! And in them, create perceptions of what people see in the pictures, videos or comments posted.
Connecting the dots. If we get just a few snapshots of something, our brain likes to connect the pieces and make assumptions. Often, it's how things are based in our own perceptions. Sometimes those snapshots get misinterpreted or misrepresented. Or maybe they don't! But then that's more fuel for our fire of something we THINK we know.
Recently I had a birthday. Unbeknownst to me, one of my favorite people on the planet posted a pic of me for KTWL and wrote up a few words. She knew if she'd asked, I would have vetoed the idea. By the way, thanks for using a pic I like. But the whole aspect of this blog post is because it was a snapshot of who I am, or what she thinks of me pertaining to Keys to Whole Living and partially as a person. She used words like courage, fierce, strong, and obedient to God. I'm not so sure that's how I would have described myself, but I can see it. And if I didn't know that person in the post, I would want to know her by the way my friend described using those terms. Some of those descriptives may make you repel or wince- like the word fierce. It drew me in! It's still about perspective. I desire someone fierce to protect or care for or be loyal to me. But it could be mistaken as I am fierce like 'on attack' or don't go messin' around with that one!
Then I thought about my Jesus and all the things people say about him. You know snapshots taken and subsequent assumptions. We read his Word taking it out of context and then blame him for what did or didn't happen. Possibly what we were taught in the past or experiences helped develop a skewed vision. You can fill in your own blank. What is it you really think about him???
What if, WHAT IF, we were to look at the Bible, God, family, friends, even ourselves through the eyes of RELATIONSHIP, experience, and longevity. I've been married over 37 years. What I think now about my hubby relates the years of relationship, experience, and longevity. What has become apparent are the character qualities I can trust.
Now what about the snapshot at the beginning of the post of yesteryear? You had to know what was going on in the picture to truly understand. What did you title it? What were your first thoughts? The story makes all the difference! My caption?
My Dad can Fix It
See the little guy on the chair in bottom of the pic. I mean, we had NO yard and my handyman hubby was making us a small one. It dropped off into a wash (it's a southwest thing). My son was excited about the equipment we had rented for the day. Today there is a book about Little E (excavator). My grandkids love it. Here it was in action! He pulled up a chair and watched as dirt was moved around and leveled. But then, that little Bobcat got too close to the edge, to the point of no return. Our young man didn't flinch and just watched the whole thing happen. I was watching from the kitchen window and came running, but then yes took a picture. He then waited and watched to see how it would get tipped back onto all fours. The point of this story. Our son was of the opinion his dad could fix anything! And if he couldn't he would find someone who could! Before long, Bobcat was back in action. The other two young ones also got kitchen chairs and joined in the fun of watching a yard be created from a desolate scrub filled jungle. And the snack of the day, popcorn. Don't ask me how or why I remember such detail about it, but it was a day we all remember.
A picture is worth a thousand words!
So today, our scriptures come in with a few snapshots I'd like to leave with you:
I am with you always. Matthew 28:20
The one who doesn't love has yet to know God, for God is Love. 1 John 4:8
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Farther than from a sunrise to a sunset- that's how far you've removed our guilt from us. Psalm 103:12
Now, that's a snapshot!
Keys to Whole Living