I’ve been meaning to write this post for a long time. About, you know, that lens. The one that I mentioned had a big ol’ story behind it.
And tonight I just feel like I need to write it. I want to not only remember what God did, but I also want to remember just how mind-blowing it was to see Him at work in such a spectacularly personal way.
In fact, I don’t ever want to forget it.
Okay. I’ll begin at the beginning.
As I’ve shared here many times, last spring I began to feel like God wanted me to push myself in my photography. And so I did. I studied books, posted a bunch of stuff here, took courses and pushed myself to just get out there and shoot. It’s been an interesting journey to say the least, especially because I’m still not quite sure yet what the point is. But sometimes the point is just obedience, amen?
Anyway, it was during this time that I realized I really needed wanted another lens. And, as is often the case, the lens I had my heart set on was way, wayyyy out of our price range. After fumbling over the subject for weeks and weeks, I mustered the courage and mentioned it to Chris. And even he, who loves to spoil me when he gets the chance, was flabbergasted. It was just too much. As the months went on and, despite all my searching for a different (read: cheaper) lens that would substitute, I was still daydreaming about this lens. Eventually, Chris told me to go ahead and get it. He’d figure out a way to buy it… but it would need to suffice for every future gift I’d ever receive. Forever. But even then, even when I tried, I couldn’t buy it. I wanted to, but I just couldn’t. Instead, I determined that I’d become as skilled as I could with my trusty DSLR and lone 50mm prime lens.
End of story.
Now rewind even further – promise there’s a point to all this – all the way back to last winter. It was then that I had a chance meeting with a couple that was in the process of bringing home a little one from China through the special needs program. Obviously, we had much to chat about initially. But beyond those commonalities, the more we talked, the more they just somehow seemed like old friends instead of new friends. Over the next few months we talked on the phone and emailed and the four of us carved time out of our schedules to get together for some time to hang out, eat and fellowship.
One night in late May they came over to our house to eat. After dinner the four of us were just sitting around and talking… about adoption, about blogging, about China, about all that God was up to in our lives. In the middle of our conversation, the husband turned to me and asked, “So, tell me Stefanie. What is it that you’re up to with your photography?”
I blushed. You see, this sweet couple also happens to read our blog.
I told him that I was trying to improve, that I felt like God wanted me to stretch myself and… and… I was fumbling. Honestly I was embarrassed and wondered if he thought I’d fallen a bit off my rocker. But, instead, he shared how he believed God has used this little blog to impact others for adoption. How he felt like the words and the pictures that I shared here were an encouragement to those considering adoption.
I blushed harder.
Then he went on to say that God had prompted them to give us $1000 towards the purchase the lens. The lens I had determined I’d never get.
Yeah, that lens.
Seriously. I could hardly breathe… but the bit of oxygen that managed to get into my brain caused me to wonder how in the world he did he know? Turned out that I had posted about this dream lens on the blog once and well, God did the rest.
I quit blushing and began to cry. And simply tried to wrap my brain around the magnitude of what he had just said. It was so very overwhelming. So very unbelievable.
And so very God.
And so I continue on this photographic journey. Still not quite certain of the destination. But so very certain of the Reason.
My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim Your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim Your righteousness, Yours alone.
~ Psalm 71:15-16
You can read more stories of God’s faithfulness, provision and goodness over at my friend Linny’s blog, A Place Called Simplicity.