A Good Season

I’ve been sitting on these photos of my family for a few weeks now.

I think they’re stunning.  Not because we’re beautiful, although I think my children are.  I love the light, the fall colors, the simple fact that my family is all together, the beautiful work of a photographer.

And I didn’t want to share.

I didn’t want to seem like I was bragging—didn’t want anyone to feel less than maybe because they couldn’t even afford family pictures or some family members were sick or whatever.

Over the weekend, though, two people said something that dispelled my fear.

Lisa Whittle talked about how we try to diminish who we are to make someone else feel better.  She encouraged us to embrace it without apologies. Ann Voskamp said we steal praise from heaven.

So, guys, I’m not into stealing praise from heaven.  This is our family’s annual photos.

For whatever reason God decided to let me be a part of this beautiful family and it is such a gift.  We’re far from perfect but we’re healthy.  We’re happy.  We love Jesus.  He is SO good to us.

Sometimes I thank God quietly and he just whispers, enjoy it.  These are the good years.

I don’t know if that means we have some hard years coming up.  Maybe.  But maybe they’ll all be good years.  I just know we’re in such a sweet time as a family and I’m just so, so grateful.

I look at this picture of me and Scott and think of us just a few years ago.  My goodness, what a work God has done.

These kids.  They undo me.  Everything I do I do for their happiness and health.  I couldn’t love them more and I know God feels just the same way about all of us.  They show me Jesus.

Not all our seasons will be like this but I’m so, so grateful for this one.

I’m grateful for him giving talent to photographers like ours and grateful for organizations like Help-Portrait that understand the power of photographs and gives back to those in need.  If you’ve never heard of Help-Portrait, I’d highly recommend you checking them out. Perhaps you can help give others a moment where they can thank God for his blessings.

To God be the glory!