August 18: Focus, Part 2

While wrestling with my last post, I began to wonder if there was a metaphor in here for the "auto focus" setting on our camera.

I'm a lousy photographer. I am good at nothing more than making sure no heads are cut off in the picture. Truly nothing to brag about. However, last October I decided that I wanted to have great family beach pictures from our trip to Florida. Of course I was NOT going to pay hundreds of dollars to make it happen. (I'm cheap AND overly confident in our photographic abilities.) On our last evening, we set out to the beach just before sunset. I set the timer, made sure the auto focus setting was on, and captured a great picture of our family. That one shot led to many more. Indeed, we returned from our trip without a car (so sad!), but with dozens of wonderful photos that truly captured the sweetness of our family time.

I started wondering if maybe that's what God has gifted me with lately. Instead of ME manually setting my focus, I'm able to leave it to God. When I manually focus, I run the risk of making the least important items in the picture clear, while leaving the intended subject of the photo blurry and unrecognizable. When God sets my focus, the right things become clear and I get none of the credit. Yes, I'm a lousy photographer, but I have a decent camera. So the photos that grace our walls and bless my heart are not because of me.

Is there a lesson in there for me? God, have you become my Auto Focus? The AF setting is doing its part and I'm just along for the ride.

Thank you, LORD! Please keep my from messing with Your settings. And, God, please let this all be for Your glory! Amen

Summer 2011: Focus

Back in school and so painfully aware of just how much a "free" public education costs! It seems like every time I turn around, I'm writing another check. Both girls have activities that require fees and teachers that require supplies. As a teacher, I never miss an opportunity to help out their classes. I consider it part of our charitable giving. In fact, I don't even have the normal "need/want" conversation with myself when it comes to helping supply their schools with items their teachers say they need. I just send them in.

I was a little hard on myself last week when I was analyzing (okay, OVERanalyzing) purchases I've recently made. I started to think that I had been careless by not scrutinizing every purchase. Then it hit me. I didn't scrutinize because I was buying to meet someone else's need. It wasn't about me. It wasn't about how badly I wanted something. No, my purchases were made with what I believe was a heart with pure intentions. Had I scrutinized the purchases, I might have passed them up. The focus might have inadvertently become the buying, not the giving.

And, since the object of this is a necessary focus, I'm moving forward cognizant that sometimes that focus comes as a result of not thinking too much. Hmmm... arriving at a necessary focus, by not focusing too much. I think I may be on to something. Maybe something to tackle in another entry...

Thank you, God for gaining my attention by keeping me from being overly distracted by our circumstances. Keep my eyes on YOU, Lord!