Monday, June 24, 2013

The True Picture - Behind the Scenes


Today I am linking up with Crystal on her new link up called Behind the Scenes.  You share the photos and then you share the story.


The Photo ~

Early Blessing



The Story ~

Perfect Timing

We have about a hundred of photos similar to this.  Spanning about ten years, we have gone to Hilton Head every other year for one week of sweet refreshment and cousin fun.  All seventeen on my side of the family packs it up and drives sixteen hours to the beach.  My parents rent the house and we just have to get there.  It is a wonderful blessing and we have beautiful memories because of those vacations.

Now this sweet silhouette is hanging on the wall of our home.  It is a reminder of days filled with watching our kids play and actually sitting down and talking with loved ones.  It holds in it a hope of a new day and a dream of new beginnings.

It does not show the fact that we are not catching the sunrise because we wanted the perfect photo opportunity, but because this sweet little girl would get up at 5:00 am every. single. morning. It did not matter if we were at home or on vacation.  She was ready for the day.  And instead of waking up the rest of the family with giggles and questions on why the sand wiggles through your toes, we decided to go out for a walk and by God's sweet grace, we brought our camera and took this picture.

A little girl touching the sand.  Hopeful for some wiggles and fully expecting giggles.  Because God's grace will show up even when you are tired.  And even when you don't expect it.  And even on vacation.

And now we get up on purpose.  And we take a picture in the same spot each time.  Because now we are expecting something sweet and beautiful.  And each time, we get more than we expect.  In the same way, God blesses us more than we could ever imagine.  We might just have to get up a little earlier to see.

His timing is perfect.  What big things are you praying for right now?


Lining up with a lovely community that not only shares the photo, but shares the life. Come join us here to connect.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Because God's grace will show up even when you are tired." How thankful I am gthat He does show up at those tired times. (Stopping over from Crystal's blog)

Angie said...

Oh yes...and then He also gives strength to those who are weary! SO thankful!

Unknown said...

Beautiful photo! My children are also early risers, and when we were in Mexico in Jan, they loved watching the sunrise each morning. My son still asks, about once a week, "Remember when we were quiet and just watched the sun rise in Mexico?" The hidden blessing of early waking kiddos! :)

Brenners said...

That's very gorgeous photo. Isn't it amazing how God can take the inconvenience of being woke up early and turn into a treasured moment?!

Vanessa said...

I kinda wish my early mornings led to images and memories like this :) But I suppose God's blessings on us are just as special, even if not wrapped in quite so pretty a package, right? :) Beautiful picture, and such a great reminder of God's little gifts!

Mel said...

Love this! The photo is beautiful...but I love that your memories of those early mornings and His blessings are equally, if not even more, beautiful. Thank you for sharing today! Blessings! :)

Unknown said...

That is a gorgeous photo. Some of my favorite memories with my dad on vacation were when we went for morning walks. Honestly, I hated it at the time, especially when I was a teenager, but so many of my memories are about walks we took and what we saw/experienced on those walks. I'm so glad my dad made us take walks. It's been our family's favorite way to disconnect from the world these days - leaving the phones at home and just taking a walk.

Anonymous said...

Your picture is lovely! Times to reconnect with family and enjoy each other are so important! As a mother of 4 year old twins, I thank God everyday that God's grace shows up when I'm tired!

Unknown said...

Oh this is so lovely. And we learn so much from our babes don't we? The getting up and enjoying the the present - thank you so much for sharing.

Natalie DeYoung said...

"Because God's grace will show up even when you are tired." I love that. When God surprises me, those moments are sweetest. :)

Kate @ Another Clean Slate said...

What an amazing photo!

Anonymous said...

Lovely, lovely photo! Some day I want to have one of those huge family vacations. We usually vacation with friends and their children, and that ends up being a very similar experience, with all the kids running and playing. We've been to Hilton Head many, many times, and in fact, we'll be there in August! Great post!

Amy Sullivan said...

Behind the scenes. . .love this idea, and I've never heard of it!

Simply Beth said...

His timing is perfect isn't it? Beautiful Angie! I'm looking forward to an upcoming vacation with my family...it's been too long since we've been together. Blessings.

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