Develop, by Deacon Mary Stoneback: Advent Day 23

Posted on December 23, 2019 | Posted by Mary Stoneback

My love for photography began in the third grade when my parents gifted me with their Canon AE-1 programmable camera. I dove into learning about ISO, f stops, apertures and shutter speed. It was amazing how manipulating just one thing could alter the photo’s outcome, sometimes for the better. I loved to experiment. I got to the point where I could shoot weddings using the camera. I eventually transitioned to doing digital photography and now shutter at the thought of shooting a wedding with a film camera.

The Advent of new technologies opens what seems to be limitless opportunities. However, something is also lost. When I was shooting with film, I had to be intentional with each shot. I made split decisions about composition, lighting and depth of field and had to wait to see the results until I could take the film to the lab to be developed. In the waiting, we develop. God works through our circumstances and with our hopes and fears to create a new understanding of who we are in Him. In His light we are continually made new. This is Good News anytime of the year!

Dear God, what a gift it is to be in relationship with you. And even more amazing how you help us to grow. Help us to see how you are at work in our lives and in those around us so that we can be a light of encouragement for others too. Amen.

                                            ~Deacon Mary Stoneback