It has only taken but a moment here and there to stop and find small tells of God's fantastic workmanship in nature, in the work of man's hands, and in the smile on a child's face. The many stops along my photo journeys have occurred in places like Kingsport and Gatlinburg, TN; Lake George and Oakdale, NY; the Creeper Trail in Abingdon, VA; and the local scenery in Wise, Buchanan, Roanoke and Salem, VA.
Recently, a colleague was viewing some of my photos taken during the snowfall over the last few weeks. He asked me how I happen to find some of the shots that I've taken - snow on a leaf, a leaf peaking through a crack in the ice on the Roanoke River, a small snail climbing on the stem of a leaf, and a very tiny pinecone sitting on a branch. My response was - that I look closely for the little details all around me. All around me are details that most miss because we (or I) rush by too quickly. There is beauty everywhere. The key is taking the time to find it.
So with camera in hand, I often find myself heading out for a walk, stopping by the side of the road on a work trip, bundling up and heading out in the middle of a snow storm, taking a walk after a snowstorm, chasing a full moon on an icy and cold night (was not able to capture any photos of this event), following my nephews around in play, and basically just grabbing my camera whenever I can to go wherever I can go.
I hope you enjoy viewing my photos as much as I've enjoyed discovering these displays of beauty and fine workmanship.
When my colleague asked me about how I find some images that require that I look closely at the fine detail of the elements around me, the following scripture came to my mind. It is a scripture that reminds me of how my God knows every fine detail about me - "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:30)." He knows the exact number. That is amazing.
Another scripture that comes to mind is, "You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you Lord, know it completely
(Psalm 139:1-6)."
It is wonderful to know I am loved and known in such amazing detail by an awesome God. What is even more awesome is that despite my shortcomings and those things I have done that should separate me from the Lord, that there is no separation. His gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, which I have so freely received, has removed the eternal separation and brought me fully into relationship with him. And it is so Sweet!