As I await the new year, I pause to reflect on 2016. Like most years there were times that I laughed till I cried and cried till I laughed. 2016 was a year of celebration and mourning. It was a year of challenges but also a year full of successes. I thank God for another year while I acknowledge that there are more sunrises behind me than before me. I also learned some life lessons that I’ll share with you through my photos.

EVERYONE CAN TRAVEL THE STRAIGHT ROAD BUT FEW ARE EQUIPPED FOR THE CROOKED ROADS

Life presents us with easy and difficult paths. Traveling in Colorado searching for mountain photo opportunities involved moving from the paved road to the narrow, dirt, potholed filled, cliff-hugging roads. It would have been a difficult journey with a regular car, but I traveled in a 4×4 built for the journey. How many times do we start a path without the equipment needed to finish it?   In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

YOU’VE GOT TO GO THROUGH IT TO GET TO IT!

I watched this man practicing rock climbing in Colorado. Twice he fell but his rope and rock anchors prevented certain death. On the third try, he reached his goal. If the goal is worthy, we must persevere knowing that God will provide a way for us to reach the destination.  Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 

WHEN IT LOOKS LIKE YOU CAN’T GO ANY FURTHER, JUST SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY!

I followed this ant as it traveled on the ground. In an attempt to distance itself from the looming camera, it climbed up a tall blade of grass and held on as if this was as far as it could go. The ant held on for dear life for a few minutes gaining strength before realizing all it had to do was fly away. When it looks like all options have been exhausted, wait on the Lord and he will provide a way.  Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

Whatever looks good to you as you work in your area of giftedness needs no validation from anyone else. What might look like a mistake is my purposely added movement as the shutter was clicked. Everyone will not like it but as long as I achieve my purpose, I’m satisfied.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

IF YOU DON’T LIKE YOUR SCENERY, JUST MOVE UPSTREAM

A meandering river presents several views… some good and some not so good. Therefore, if you don’t like your surroundings, don’t be afraid to move to a more pleasant location. “Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Isaiah 43:18

EACH DAY HAS ONE SUNRISE AND ONE SUNSET, SO CHERISH EACH ONE

If you don’t like today’s, tomorrow starts a brand new day. From the popular hymn One Day At A Time, “One day at a time sweet Jesus, That’s all that I’m asking of You. Lord give me the strength to do everything that I have to do. Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine. Lord for my sake, help me to take one day at a time.”  They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. Psalm 65:8

DON’T FEAR THE UNKNOWN

Don’t be intimidated by the unknown, we can’t see around the corner but God can. Our job is to have the faith to walk the path that God has for us. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

 

TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MUCH (T.E.A.M.)

This photo shows the Tobacco Road Football Club celebrating after a hard fought win over the highly touted Atlanta Silverbacks. This was one of their most complete games and I was happy to capture the emotion of their celebration.  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4

 

IN ORDER TO RELATE TO OTHERS, YOU’VE GOT TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE

I had to lay down to get this perspective of the mushroom.  Sometimes, success comes in situations where we are not comfortable.     …I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.  I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.  1 Corinthians 9:22b-23

 

IF YOU WANT TO BE GOOD AT SOMETHING PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

For every good photo,  there are 100 that are bad. The bad ones are out of focus, have bad composition or incorrect settings. The bad ones are practice so you can be ready when the next opportunity arises.  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

 

WHEN YOU CAN’T FIND ANYTHING INSPIRING AROUND YOU, LOOK UP!

Traveling through Antelope Canyon in Arizona, you are surrounded by darkness. Periodically, the rocks opened up to show the sky. If the situation looks bleak, keep your eyes focused on things above.  I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? Psalm 121:1

 

IT’S NICE TO HAVE FRIENDS FOR THE JOURNEY

I was drawn to the simplicity of these three flowers. Composition wise, they are supporting one another. I am thankful for all of my friends and if it’s the Lord’s will, I look forward to a fruitful 2017.
I leave you with a quote from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”, where another Clarence states ‘No man is a failure who has friends’.
And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecclesiastes 4:12