Safe

Many of you who follow my blog are aware that my personal life is a bit of a mess.  Okay, that may be understating a tad.  Through all of the tough stuff my faith has been shaken.  But this last week the tables were turned a bit and I was refreshed and renewed and carried.  I looked behind me and saw only one set of footprints and they weren't mine because God only knows I wasn't able to walk... I was carried. {{tears}}

Here's a song that reminded me who's been looking after me....

SAFE

Phil Wickham

To the ones whos dreams have fallen all apart
and all your left with is a tired & broken heart
I can tell by your eyes that you think your'e on your own
but you're not alone

have you heard of the One who can calm the raging sea
give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
with a love so strong and never let you go
no you're not alone

You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
because the hands that hold the world
are holding your heart
this is a promise He made
He will be with you always
when everything is falling apart
you will be safe in His arms 

Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
is the very same voice that calls you now to rise
So hear him now, he is calling you home
You will never be alone

You will be safe in His arms

These are the hands that built the mountain, the hands that calmed the sea, these are the arms that hold the heavens, they are holding you & me, these are the hands that healed the leper, pulled the lame up to their feet, these are the arms that were nailed to a cross to break our chains & set us free!

You will be safe in His arms...(repeat above)

Safe in His arms...
Safe in His arms..

You will be safe, you will be safe, when everything is falling apart you will be safe in His arms

Thank you to all of you who were His hands and feet.  Who loved on me and rushed to my side when things were scary and overwhelming. You supported me, prayed for me and encouraged me. You reminded me that I wasn't alone and that everything was going to be okay. You know who you are and I love you all and will forever be grateful for each of you.

I'm an Insecure Photographer...

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE what I do. But, there are times when I'm on my way to a shoot that I start to FREAK out! "What if I can't get a shot they love?"... "What if I can't develop a repoire with them?" ... "What if I have technical problems?" (Ha! ...IF?) ... "What if the lighting is bad?"

I've had a camera stuck to my face since I had my first child over 10 years ago. But I still stress that I don't have enough experience, education, equipment to get THE shot. (The three E's) It never fails to amaze me when I get home, calm down and start to go through the pics and am amazed that I got some good ones. Then I chalk it up to good luck or GREAT clients.

Fellow 'togs' does this still happen to you?

Stress

About 36 hours ago I was peaceful and blissful. I was discussing with my friend Ann how stressful the holidays can be for "some" people and how ironic that is. It is, after all, supposed to be a time to reflect on the year and Christ's birth, spend some quality time with the fam and just relax and enjoy the pretty sparkly lights and eat some medicinal pie...right? I was sitting back revelling in the fact that I had a quiet Christmas planned this year and laughing at all the poor shlubs who were wearing themselves out shopping and cooking and entertaining.

I'm not laughing anymore! At about 11pm last night it all began to sink in. By 6am this morning I had formed a list of things to do that would make Santa tired. How did this happen?!! Steve and I were up until midnight discussing all the details of this Christmas. Literally, almost every minute is scheduled out. At one point we both stopped and looked at each other and decided that next year we are outta here! We are hightailing it outta town. We are literally going to RUN away from Christmas next year.

Isn't it so stupid? Did you know that Christmas is when heart attacks and suicide rates are at their highest? Why? I don't think this is what God had in mind. How do we as Christian's refocus and quiet ourselves? How do we avoid the chaos? I'm all for decorating(clearly), baking, gifting, etc but how do we avoid all the other "stuff"? Maybe by next year I'll have the answers to those questions and I can have the peaceful Christmas I long for.

Well, I gotta go...fast!