Spiritual Snapshots

I have just finished reading the novel "Someday" by Karen Kingsbury, one of my favorite fiction authors. One of the main characters, Ashley is a gifted painter who paints life portraits. Much like we as scrapbokers create life portraits in our albums. Ashley captures moments on canvas to be enjoyed and remembered for years to come.

I was struck as I was reading by how Ashley gathers images for future paintings - by taking mental photos of family moments she wishes to capture on canvas. As a scrapbooker I use hard copy photos to create pages and albums however as a believer who scrapbooks, by adding an element of faith on my pages I am creating "spiritual snapshots" that will be there for all to see for years to come.

Just as we receive "spiritual snapshots" when we read the Bible. Stories and images that jump off the page and form a "snapshot" in our minds of how things were, or maybe what we should be or who we should become. These Snapshots add depth to our lives, give us a reason to soar.

Snapshot: Jeremiah 29:11 One of my all time favorite verses. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

Last summer along with my family we attended Creation Fest North West, a great Christian music festival that takes place at the Gorge Amphitheater in Washington State at the end of July each summer. While there I purchased a bracelet that had Jer 29:11 paraphrased on it - This past Saturday I gave it away, that was the plan that God had in mind the whole time.

When I purchased the bracelet, I felt the overwhelming need to buy that particular bracelet, but also the feeling that I would be told to give it away. I loved the bracelet, loved the verse & the daily reminder however this past Saturday as I was sitting and listening to the testimony of a dear lady, I knew the bracelet was for her. So I gave it to her, telling her that her sharing had blessed me and that God told me to give her something.... I shook her hand and slipped her the bracelet and walked away. I was Blessed Beyond Measure because I litened to the little voice in my heart! That is a spiritual snapshot I will carry in my heart forever. And I will Scrapbook a page telling the story!