By Karen O’Connor:
Do you find God in family photos–or at least, while looking at them–thanking Him for those people who helped shape your life?
Stock Photo from Bandini
My husband and I looked at each other, took a deep breath, and agreed it was time to tackle those boxes of photos that had accumulated over many decades before digital images became the rage.
Some of our best memories were captured in those pictures.We couldn’t just throw them away. So we pulled them out, sorted them by category such as holidays, celebrations, and vacations and then separated them into piles—one for each of our five children and twelve grandchildren.
It was no small effort, but well worth it. By the time we finished we were finding God in our family photos in ways we never expected.
We laughed and cried over many, shredded some that were too embarrassing to keep, and then got serious about choosing the ones worthy of putting into small albums for each family member.
It took nearly two weeks to complete the project but we did it! And we felt so good when we presented these mini-albums to each one in person. Everyone loved the result and were thankful for the time we’d invested.
Baptisms, birthday parties, graduations, and vacations all came alive again as we laughed and reminisced together over old times. We shed some tears too as we looked at photos of grandparents and aunts and uncles who were no longer with us. The more I recalled times spent with loved ones the more I realized how much God has blessed me with these people who have shaped my life and contributed to it in so many ways.
To find God in family photos was as important to me during those moments as finding Him in prayer or in church or in my garden. I was reminded of His love for me and my love for those He placed in my life.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35, NIV Bible).
Want to sort and organize your print photos? Take a look at this helpful YouTube video:
©Karen O’Connor. Karen is an author, writing mentor, and frequent contributor to the Finding God Daily blog. Visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com
