Picture Perfect

When our boys were young, we would take them yearly, or almost every year, to Sears Photography Studio at our local mall for the ever-fun family picture night. We laugh when we look back at many of those pictures. Memories surface of what was happening right before the photo experience. I can still hear my husband Steve giving the boys instructions to “smile and not ruin this for their mother.” Generally, these were not fun moments! Maybe you’ve been there yourself! Ground rules of ice cream if they cooperated and punishment if they didn’t was clear. Having sons did not lend well to family photo sessions; however, for those looking at the finished product, our family appeared “picture perfect.” I bet you have experienced that same thing, at least if you have boys. We have very few photos of our eldest son as a teenager because he was great at avoiding the camera.

Now that they have families of their own, family photo sessions are scheduled, occasionally with all of us. They will often have their individual family’s photos taken first, and then we will jump in at the end of the photo session. I am grateful that no more Sears Studio photo sessions are needed! Digital cameras and outdoor photoshoots help this become a more pleasant experience for everyone. Still, we have faced some tense moments.

Several years back, when there were six grandkids (now there are seven), the youngest boys were about two and one-half, one in each family. One of them was having a challenging time. I could see the agony on Harrison’s face when he arrived. He was NOT in the mood for photo taking! On EVERY photo, he is either crying or had his head cradled on someone’s shoulder, wanting nothing to do with this photoshoot. He was in trouble with his father, who was running out of patience. “Just smile and take the photo, Harrison!” he said, but Harrison couldn’t or wouldn’t. At this moment, he looked pitiful, and no smiles or laughter came close to what we saw—simply pain.

We have laughed a lot at those pictures, and they become part of our memories. That day there was one final picture between Harrison and his mommy that will forever stand out. Harrison was inconsolable until Leah got down to his level, grabbed his little hands in her hands, and kissed his face as only a mommy can. The picture is perfect, but not for the reason you think.

The photo captured what undeserved grace looks like to me. The mood changed. Harrison was no longer anxious, and his body relaxed. He leaned into his mother’s kindness and drank it all in like someone who had been walking in a desert. No longer in trouble and fearing punishment. This picture was perfect because it was real!

What picture or pictures are you creating with your life? Does it all look great on the outside, but when you are not posting photos on social media, what is the accurate picture? For myself, I want my real-life pictures to capture me living an authentic life as a fully devoted follower of Christ. I want memories implanted in my mind where I extended grace to others and grace was extended to me.

What is grace? Grace is simply unmerited favor. Undeserved. None of us could stand before Christ without grace. Grace allows us to stand before a holy God because of what Jesus did for us. In ourselves, we do not make the cut. We are like kids not wanting to be in the photoshoot. We complain we disobey; we take God’s love for granted, and yet, grace (unmerited favor) gives us access to God through Jesus.

The best part is God is generous with His grace as long as we remain humble.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NLT)

We need God’s grace to be extended to us and through us.

“We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)

His grace is enough.

“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

Some pictures aren’t perfect, but they are perfect pictures of God. Each time I see that photo, I smile at the memory. I wonder how often I forget to give out that same kind of grace to those I encounter? How about you? If we’ve learned anything from 2020, it is this, life can change in a day and can last much longer than we anticipate!

I need grace from God to thrive in this environment. We all do.

Giving and extending grace in 2021,

Liz