Wrapped Emotions: Stop!

This post is part of the fun going on at tne new blog, Wrapped Emotions. When she posted the prompt I immediately had three ideas of a picture. The idea was to take a picture somewhere other than the comfort of home in a position you might not be used to (laying down, etc...) and write about what you felt, etc...

I love taking pictures, especially nature shots (check bottom of this blog to see) but I confess I take them in a controlled environment: like when I'm 99% sure no one has seen me. To take a picture in public in a new way, well I really wanted to, but could I? I wasn't sure.

My first idea was to get a picture of a majestic flag flying and post on 9/11. Many restaurants and car dealerships fly huge flags that dominate the sky, I love it. But on that day both our hot water tank decided to take a hiatus and it rained nearly all day. It wasn't meant to be.

Then I thought an intersection! I think my life feels like an intersection, I'll do that. Well---this really challenged the fear I have of people noticing me taking pictures. I guess I don't want anyone to think I'm stalking them (I love Amish country but have few pictures because I don't want to take a picture of a farm and have anyone think I'm a lurker!) or that I'm weird or judge me as a real photographer. I thought well I'll take a picture from afar of an intersection. I tried from church and it was too far. Again, not meant to be.

Which leads me to the sign you see, the basic stop sign. I thought a neat little reminder for me to not rush through life, something I tend to to. What is so ironic was I was on my way to a meeting with a mentor to discuss what God has been doing in my life and talk about future steps I feel I'm meant to take. With the measure of those doors opening I have not felt so weary or attacked physically in years. After a great talk and some direction she said this.

Stop.

Yes she did. Rest, she continued. My physical issues are partly because I'm crushing under the weight of the to do. I feel like God has something for me and I jet off like the lead horse in the Kentucky Derby---except I left the jockey behind. And then I get tired and look around thinking hey God, where did You go? Well I left him 80 paces back, where He's lovingly waiting for me.

The picture she left with me that I WISH I could paint because it's so lovely to think about is that whatever I'm called to do, the real work belongs to the Lord. For the many things I pray deeply for, its His battle. His desire is to be that warrior going off to take care of those battles while I sit on the couch and pray. When He returns, He wants to just rest on my lap and talk about the day. This rocks my world because I'm always doing (A Martha thing) and that sounds like a picture meant for a Mary. I love it though. Because what I saw in that picture doesn't mean I stop doing or caring or become lazy, I just give up control which honestly, I never have to begin with. So for her to say stop and rest minutes after taking that picture, it gives me goosebumps.

But wait! There is more! When I started to edit I felt STOPPED again. I am notorious for editing to the last inch left leaving pictures so tight you have no idea the backdrop of 99% of my pictures. I had the sign all cropped when I realized no, I have to stop editing. I went back and left it as is. And when I did I noticed:

-lush green grass that I'd love to walk my bare toes in (but let's celebrate I took this picture in my car, actually stopping for quite some time EVEN THOUGH I was afraid people would see me and a cop would come, we'll tackle running in strange grass another time!

-a fire hydrant

-a garage

-the sun hitting that house

-huge trees that look so majestic

-Lines and poles

I learned so much from this. By stopping and taking this picture I saw more because I took the time to expand my focus. I received an object lesson moments later that even as you obey and do, it's still ok, no it is necessary to rest. I've been called to do and believe big things, I've known that a long time. But it doesn't mean I have to dust Jesus in the process and exhaust myself. I'm His bride and it doesn't insult me one bit that He'd like to be the one to get His hands dirty. Cuz in the picture I'm in a gorgeous white dress and who wants to get that messy?

Rest. Selah. Stop. Enjoy. This picture was way more than a rule of the road for me today. I hope you saw something in it just for you too.