Pictures

When I was in California in November I'd venture to say I took 100 pictures of the mountains. I simply could not comprehend their beauty. Each time I took a picture I'd examine it to see if I got the right angle, if it captured what I saw, if, when I shared it with others, they could see what I saw. Without a doubt, each and every time, I was disappointed, not in the sense that the pictures were bad, but that what I felt by SEEING them could not be duplicated in a picture.

This morning when I saw the "pink" begin to come through my front window I went outside to catch a picture of the beautiful sky. When I reviewed the picture, while beautiful, it didn't begin to replicate what I saw with my eyes.

Reminds me of the thousands of pictures I have that have captured memories of family, friends, vacations, nature..... NONE of those pictures can replicate or replace being PRESENT in those moments. Pictures are a great reminder of what was but they cannot restore the moment I was there to experience the joy when the photo was "snapped".

I'm reminded this morning that as each moment passes it's gone forever. Not only the moment itself but the intensity of the feelings, the emotions, the magnificence.

So today, as long as it's called today, I need to remind myself that a picture can never replace being IN the moment. A picture can never restore the joy felt at the very moment it was happening. A picture can never convey fully my experience.

I can tell you that the sky, in my little neck of the woods, was beautiful this morning. A gift for my eyes. I'm so grateful that God gave me that moment. He knew it would bring joy to my heart at that very moment. I can't NOT snap the picture but I already knew it would never be as beautiful as the experience of SEEING it.

Have a beautiful day LIVING IN the experiences that will never pass your way again.