In between the pictures, there are dirty feet I have to scrub and mosquito bites I need to tend. There are complaints on the long car ride and on the rice, again, for dinner.
In between the photos, there are lonely days at home, with a quiet telephone and a noisy heart. There is boredom and messes and a laundry line with drying clothes that stay wrinkled.
In between the pictures, I doubt-much and distract-often. I taste distance–from God and community, and I touch heat–from my own angry words and this tropical sun above.
In between the photos snapped, my kids have embarrassing meltdowns in crowded malls with a hundred eyes as audience. They talk of missing friends and wanting to play on a soccer team and possessing the next new thing.
Life in the interim can be hard. Between college and that first “real” job. Between pregnancy and a baby in your arms. Between Egypt and the Promised Land, earth and heaven. The moments that take place between the pictures taken for the photo album lack glory and are full of the grit. No one takes snapshots of the morning sickness or the rejected resume or the rebellious teenager breaking curfew. Somehow we’d rather remember senior prom and vacations to the beach and birthday parties with lots of cake.
But, I am learning, still, that my character is defined most by the hundreds of tiny choices I make between the moments I pose for the camera. The way I speak to my kids when I am tired. The way I pursue my husband when we disagree. My attitude when the milk is spilled or the sink is full of dishes. The way I spend my time on a Wednesday night and my money on a normal Monday afternoon. The photo-album moments are glorious, but its the moments in-between them that build my character, that bless my family, that define my obedience to this Jesus I follow.
And while no one’s gonna snap a picture of this Tuesday, I can still make choices that make it worth remembering.
Are you between anything right now?
ALifeOverseas.com / LauraParkerBlog.com.
Destined Traveler.
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I am certainly not the first to say it nor can I ever say it as eloquently as you but it isn’t ever so much about the destination as it is the journey. The true treasure is finding joy in the journey and I think you do that very well! Thanks for your post today…so insightful. Love You!
YES, thanks Kim. I love that reminder to find “joy in the journey”. We get so task-oriented sometimes that we miss the lessons learned in the “getting there.” Thanks for the encouragement and thanks for reading. Hug that grandbaby for us!
Love, L
A wonderful post from a wonderful lady. You are such a gifted writer, you brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart. Hug those cuties for me.
Thanks, friend. I appreciate the encouragement. I know with two small children at home that you are learning, too, the hard reality of “life between the photos.” Take Care. Love, L
Laura, Thank you for sharing your life with us. On so many levels I relate in my own life to your words. You have a gift of communicating that God gave you and we, as readers, benefit. So, as you minister in Thailand, you also minister through your words of life to us. Thank you again for being so real and encouraging me by sharing your life!!! I pray for you all and hope today is a blessed one.
love,
Betty
Thanks, Betty. I’m just encouraged that my thoughts shared here are an encouragement to a few. Thanks for leaving that comment. It spurs me to keep writing! Give our love to your kids. We sure love ALL of them.
in Jesus, Laura
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