I have a good friend who moved to Dallas, TX. She is a part of a little tribe I am in that was formed at a previous job. She sends pictures of her family from time to time, as over the years, our families have integrated to become one big one. Well, I am bad at taking pictures much less sending them to long-distance friends.
My friend sent out a plea for pictures from all of us in the tribe. I sent her the one below. I was doing a photo shoot for my business and accidentally rescheduled it on a weekend that Niomi was home. So my professional shoot also became a family one.
I have always been uncomfortable and afraid of taking a family portrait with my girl. I was scared that the image would only make it more evident that someone was missing. This fear has caused me to avoid a family picture altogether.
When the photographer provided the photos back to me, I couldn’t believe it. Every single picture with Niomi and I were beautiful. I did not see a hole, but I saw peace, love, joy, strength, and comfort illuminating from them. I could see the arms of our Father wrapped around us and completing every pose.
If my family is broken, then why when I look at these pictures I see and hear whole?
What became evident to me at this moment was He had already done the repairing, I am the one who needs to receive it completely.
What things in your life do you still view as broken that your Father has already restored? Take a picture of it (however that looks for your situation) and ask God to help you look at the image staring back at you with His eyes. See that the work has already been done. You are, the situation is whole!
Now I am ready to introduce the world to my family and stop hiding this gorgeous picture that depicts the beauty and wonder of God.
Please meet mi Familia – 1 Phinn and a Chigewe!
Love, Nona
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