photo albums - by pastor esther

I’m looking through family pictures. It’s interesting what we see when we’re looking for it.

I’m looking for pictures of my mom and me. She went home to Jesus last night. 
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I am the “baby” of the family. My mom and I had years together at home while my sisters were in school. She “homeschooled” me when it wasn’t a thing to do. Because I desperately wanted to learn like my siblings did. (She later had a 25-year career as a high school teacher).

Those formative years with my mom are precious to me. I see how they formed much of my sense of self, values and security.

I filter through years of images and see a pattern in my position in group photos. My mother and I are next to one another quite often. Even in photos where I’m an adult. Occasions when people would end up wherever they naturally chose. I had not noticed this before. I would choose to be next to my mom.

I didn’t see this pattern because I wasn’t looking for it… until now. I took for granted my mother’s presence while I subconsciously sought to be near her. Perhaps we both sought the other. 

This causes me to wonder, what else I don’t notice in my relationships? Especially my important relationships. The most important one: my relationship with Jesus.

Do I take for granted that Jesus is near by? That he is waiting for me to seek him? To acknowledge him? That spending time with him brings my sense of self, values and security?

My mother and I had a close relationship. I’m glad it shows up in photographs. What would a photo album of Jesus and me show? His presence has always been my favor. 

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11, NLT