First, let me say that viewing your picture are 800% is not the smartest thing one can do. In fact, it’s right up there in the stupid area.
I got my pictures back just a couple of days ago and I immediately load those babies up and start viewing. Some were okay — 5 our of 91 were okay. But that’s my opinion and did I mention that I hate getting my picture made. I would rather be poked in the eye with a stick, at least then there would be a reason my eyes were squinty.
I looked at the pictures as thumbnails at first and then I this brillant thought — oh, let’s just Photoshop and I opened them up and used the zoom feature. For those of you unfamiliar, Photoshop zooms up to on gijillion percent.
I stuck with only 800 percent — that was scary enough. I figured anything above that was just more than my psyche could handle.
At 800% skin looks like pitted dried beef jerky
At 800% eyes look saggy
At 800 % wrinkles are prominent
And then it occurred to me — who in their right mind can see anything at 800%! How stupid is this. I just pulled those pictures back to the 25% and went on looking.
Here are a few:
I love the one where I’m falling off the stool — and that’s the stool underneath the jacket and not all booty. Don’t you love the casual (staged) pic of me on the sofa — yep, that’s my house and I always leave the price tags hanging on my pictures. Nope. This is the beautiful interior decorators place where we took a few pictures. But that’s my wall color!
So, there are a few of the 91 — and trust me you don’t want to see all 91. It’s not fun.
As I looked at these with that 800% zoom, I thought about how easy it is for us to find our physical faults, but we don’t use that same lens to look at our spiritual life.
I wonder how that would look if I zoomed it up 800%?
I don’t angst over the skipped prayer time or worry that people will notice that I’m not obeying God in a specific area of my life. Nope. But I worry that people will notice the wrinkles at the edge of my eyes or my double chin.
It was eye-opening. As much as I want to not care how I look (within reason) and focus my energy on my walk with the Lord, I don’t. I do care about having a double chin and wrinkles at the edges of my eyes. But I also care about my walk with Jesus and I want the first thing people to see when they see me is my walk with Him. How do I make that happen? How do I show how amazing my Lord is?
I can’t do it with a picture of me, well, there is the idea of wearing a sign but that’s strange.
I can do it with my life. I can do it with my words. I can do it with my attitude. I can do it because the strength of Christ is within me.
For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7
I love this promise! God has given each of us a spirit of power, love and sound judgment. So, I’m going to hold on to that and focus on what’s happening in my spiritual life and not worry about what’s happening across my face. Okay, I’m going to TRY not worry about the whole face thing.
I would indeed like to be the first to leave a comment! I have to agree that, at 800%, ain’t nobody lookin’ purty, either physically OR spiritually! I was just talking to the Lord this very morning about my struggle with discipline in both areas…Lord willing, I’ll soon be looking better “up close”. At least in the areas I have some control over! :o)
Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of cyberspace – I love yours and I’ll be back for a visit soon!
Joyfully,
Melinda
Every camera that takes a picture of me adds at least 50 lbs! Can you imagine???
The pictures are really good (love the minnie pearl tags on the pics) and I absolutely love how you turned it all around to a beautiful devotional.
Well, any witty comment I thought I had has disappeared – go figure.
After months of wallowing in self pity for the extra 50 pounds i’ve packed on from quitting smoking.. I NEEDED THIS!!! Thanks for your prayers and your friendship… may i say that we could make our own version of the sisterhood of the traveling pants (plus size)!!!! I have never been comfortable with my size or my appearance. I am forever trying to lose weight and change my appearance when all in all i should be trying to change my spirituality!!!! Good grief… sometimes the simplest of things like laughter bring extreme thoughts to mind of just how stupid I am being!
Thanks Mary you ROCK!!!
Kristin
I love them!! Hey I didn’t know (last night) that you wrote for the internet cafe. Neat!
Melinda — so glad you dropped by!
Cathy — I have the same problem. must be faulty equipment.
Kristin — girl you just keep hangin in there!
Hi Darlene — I sure do! And I love it.
Kristin and I have the same issue – we lost the smokes but gained the pounds. My doctor swears the added weight is better than smoking. I wonder sometimes. Keep up the good work Kristin!!
I love the new picture over there <—-! Did you photoshop out the picture’s price tag?
Hey Mary – love the pix…you look great. And like you, I often focus on the outer look instead of what’s inside. The Lord looks at what’s inside – I believe that is what is important to Him. That’s not to say that we shouldn’t care about our appearance….but you know what I mean…
Hey Shannon!!!! {me waving}
I’m so happy you showed up here! Now, you need to start blogging. You have lots of cool stuff to share!
Cathy — good observation skills! I did photoshop that price tag out.
Mary—I’ve had the same trouble with pictures….especially since I became a grandmother, now almost 5 times over. Number 5 being due to arrive in about 2 weeks 🙂
The trick I have found —I try and stay behind the camera…that—and the trick of strategically placing a grandchild in my lap—or almost in front of me…sort of like cutting down half my size 😉
Things have changed over the past 13 years that I’m not all too please with…but then…since I can’t leave sweets alone…what’s a woman to do?
I loved this—and everything else I read here!