When my view, not the camera's is damaged

“Hallo!

Smile please.

 Ja? Smile?

 Goed!”

I spoke in a broken mix of Afrikaans and English that made them giggle.

 I smiled at their beautiful faces. 

These were some spunky and tough kids. I clicked the button and took the camera down to look at the picture on the screen.

Suddenly, I was mobbed by these precious little ones.

 I squatted down as their little hands tugged and wrestled to get closer… to see their very own faces on the view screen of the camera.

Laughter and screams of delight would ring out as they spotted themselves…

“Jesus lief jou.”

“Jesus loves you,” I whispered.

And this made me think…

I am pretty much mortified when I see a picture of myself.

I feel embarrassed as I immediately spot my imperfections. My nose that was broken a few times has a lovely crook in it from certain views, my teeth that are not quite right anymore…

While on this mission trip one of the photographers snapped quite a few pictures of me laughing…she said she loved how my whole face lit up.

 It was a compliment, but I tell you I looked at these photos and thought…”Ah! I look like a donkey laughing!”

But those little ones in South Africa and even my own sweet children just adore seeing pictures of themselves. 

They delightedly attempt all sorts of crazy poses and muster up their silliest expressions trying for the biggest laugh… 

You see... Their view finder is not damaged yet.

They truly find joy in seeing themselves in these photos.

And this is where God whispers once again and humbles me.

“I look with great delight at each and every one of your photos my child.

I love you. I created you. I designed and knit you together in your mother’s womb. “

Psalm 139:13-14

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

I wonder… Do I?

Do I know that full well?

Do you know this?

Maybe we all might need a look through our Heavenly Father’s camera lens that is full of grace and love. 

He isn’t distracted by our crooked noses, scars, or lack of muscle tone. He looks to our Hearts first. 

He is speaking love and grace over His cherished children.

I pray you hear Him as He whispers to you today...You are cherished by the King of Kings my friend and oh, how He loves us!

I pray you know this today,

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.