Last night, I found myself alone in an empty house braving a snow storm. I poured some wine, turned the lights down low, and got ready to wrap presents. Sounds like, Heaven, I know. I tried to revel in the moment, forgetting the circumstances that lead me to this moment.
As I wrapped gift after gift, the wind whipped around outside. It blew and blew, and sounded fierce. I ignored it, trying to focus on wrapping gifts, praying for a happy and Merry Christmas.
“Ding dong!” my phone chimed. I read a text saying, “My friend lives in North Bend and she lost power.”
Knowing that losing power might just send me over the edge, I prayed and prayed. ”Please, God, let me keep my power, my warmth, my hot shower.”
My lights flickered. ”Please, God, my heart is heavy, I have a big day tomorrow, please let me keep my power.”
I plugged in my phone and iPad, just in case. I needed those tools the next day.
My lights flickered, my TV flashed. My heart sank, but I continued to pray. I finally noticed it was after 11, and I threw extra blankets on my bed, and climbed inside.
This morning, when I awoke, my house was warm, and my water was hot. I prayed a prayer of thanks all day. Even during times, when it seems like God is not there, He shows me in little ways, that yes, in fact He is.
Awww. I’m so glad you kept your power! I’ve been meaning to ask you as a photographer, what type of camera do you use? Have you heard anything about the Nikon J1 hybrid? I really want it (mostly because it looks cool) as these days, I just use my phone and a Nikon cool pix. I want better photos. But I don’t have the patience for a fancy lens so thought a regular zoom lens would work best for me. Thoughts?
I admit, I am a Canon girl and I am hoping for a 6D this next year, which is a full frame really big girl camera. I am a freelance second shooter with a local photographer, but I am also self and internet taught. I use a Rebel series T1i which is the lowest grade DSLR out there. I LOVE my 50mm 1.4 lens, which hardly ever leaves my lens. Hybrid cameras are great, especially if you don’t want the lens exchange. Two years ago, I did a 365 project where I took a photo everyday for a year and posted it to http://www.365project.org, between that and learning Lightroom 4, my photo skills have really taken off. If you love your camera, keep shooting, asking, and learning, that is my biggest secret
Thanks so much. So for somebody lazy and with very little photographing knowledge, you’d recommend the hybrid?
Yes, I would. However, if you think you might eventually want the dslr, I would skip the hybrid and go straight to the big girl camera. They are not as scary as they seem. My dad has a canon hybrid and he LOVES it.
Hm…maybe I should just go for the big girl camera as you say (ha). That’s originally what I was looking at but then saw that white Nikon and swoooooooon… Coveting is bad, I know, but I wanted…
maybe I need to do some more research. I don’t want to spend a lot of money (because I am not working) but I want to take GREAT photos. Sigh….
Why were you alone? I hope your hubs and kids r okay and u were able to get everywhere today.
the power of prayer…
It’s nice to read that you remembered a prayer of thanks in the morning. I’m so quick to pray and ask God for one thing or another. I sometimes forget to thank Him when my prayer is answered.
I loved this, Courtney, and I love all those little reminders that He is indeed with us. Thanks for sharing this.