Consider The Wildflowers

Growing Up In A Camera Store

During the summers of 1980-something, you could find me “helping” in my dad’s camera shop. I use the term helping loosely since I was only in elementary school. I loved standing on the round metal stool behind the glass counter. The stool lifted me up a foot, and I just knew everyone thought I was an adult.

My official role in the camera store was bag decorator. I would bring in my Crayola crayons and decorate every bag I could get my hands on. The drawings covered an array of different images, from cameras to film boxes to flowers. I just knew my dad’s sales went up because people came in specifically for the bags.

The memories I have of the camera store always make me smile. From the employees who were like family, to the customers who would come by just to chat, the store was a home away from home.

As I grew up, I started learning about cameras and processing film. I loved escaping the reality of the day while living through customers’ vacation photos. Most of all, the joy that came from my time in the camera store was the time I spent with my dad.

Photos To Journals

My dad passed away over a decade ago, but every time I pick up my camera, I feel like he is right next to me, showing me how to change the camera settings. I love that I now get to live in a beautiful place that offers many photo opportunities. And with the encouragement of a friend, I have taken some of these images and put them on journals and started my online store, The Pink KiteTail.

Every journal carries a story. At least I know the story, and if the opportunity arises, I like to share the stories with others, and that is what I want to do here in some of my posts. The stories range from fun animal encounters to seeing God in His creation. I am eager to share these with you. Are you ready? Here is the first one…

Stockholm, Sweden

Last summer, I had the opportunity to go to Sweden. My missionary daughter preached throughout Scandinavia, and her friends, with whom she served, invited her to a wedding. A few of us tagged along to see some places she had gone.

One afternoon, we went to the palace in Stockholm. The grounds were stunning, and in the center was a maze made of hedges. I got lost in the maze while looking for photo opportunities. I focused on the maze and less on picture-taking once I realized I could see no one else, until I found this stunning purplish-pink flower, all alone, at the bottom of the hedge.

I had never seen a flower like this before. I later looked it up and found that it is a martagon lily. Anytime I see lilies, I think of Luke 12:26-28…

“Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!”

Luke 12:26-28 NIV

“God, where are you?”

I thought this scripture was very fitting since when I took this picture; I was lost in a maze. It makes me think of the times in life when I feel lost. Meaning lost in that I am trying to do things in my effort and don’t look to God for direction. When things don’t go as I planned, I begin to worry and stress. This then leads to thoughts of “God, where are you?” Then realizing, He was with me all along, I was the one who had gone astray, not Him.

When I look at flowers as beautiful as this, and know the intricate details God put in the lilies, and that He says, “How much more will I clothe you?” It fills me with awe of how much God loves us and wants us to put all our trust in Him.

Fun Fact: Lilies grow best in groups.

We do better with each other as well. We all need friends when we are feeling lost to remind us that we need to return our focus to the One who can truly guide us. When we gather, we strengthen one another and encourage each other. My favorite part of studying the Bible together is hearing the perspectives of others. Seeing the Word through others’ eyes.

If today is one of those days where you are feeling distant from God. I hope this has brought you some encouragement. Remember that God has made you even more beautiful than the lilies. If you seek Him, He will guide you and lead you in His ways.