Farms and Photos

Squats at the gym are like taking a challenging photo. You stand back, observe your obstacle for about 10 minutes, debate on skipping it altogether, change the song on your iPod, then just take the plunge. This idea came across my mind as I was kneeling down in my mother's flower bed, sweat dripping off my back, bumble bees swirling around my head, microscopic bugs crawling on my legs; I was hot and miserable. I thought, "Is this what it takes to get that one good picture?". I think about how much I despise doing squats at the gym. I'd rather run until I throw up. But, I remind myself that I have better form than the muscle head guy at the gym who looks like he's had 1 too many protein shakes. So, I pat myself on the back for a job well done.

Yesterday, I was pumped like a dog who had just eaten an entire bottle of no-doz. I remembered the pictures I took in the flower bed with my favorite macro lens. Now, we're talking. On one picture, I got a close up of a beautiful red flower, exuberant with color, with those ferocious microscopic bugs crawling all over. I balanced myself perfectly, wondering all the while, why I was outside taking pictures in Mississippi in the 90 degree heat. Snap! Perfectly in focus, no "auto" button needed here. This girl has skills. I patted myself on the back like I had just completed 4 sets of 12 bicep curls with Jay Cutler. Yeah, right. God has already warned me many times about humbling myself.

Walgreen's is in the near future. Is it 3:45 yet? I've seen way too many boogers, and tears today. I'm ready to get my pictures developed. Oh wait! Take them out of the camera first, Corey. As I attempt to take out my 35mm film, the lever on my camera won't crank. Seriously???? I immediately go to the camera expert, my friend and co-worker. Still, nothing. I start thinking, "don't throw your camera across the room, don't scream at a little kid and make them cry, don't blame this on God." I jerk up the lever on my camera, fling open the back of the camera, and I am speechless at what I see; my film is snapped in half with most of the film exposed. You've got to be kidding me. I'm beyond mad. I debate on walking out the door and marching over to Best Buy, screaming and demanding that some geek squad member assist me in buying the best digital camera available!! The devil is trying to shake me. One of my favorite verses comes to mind.

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Thank you, God. You always know what to say at precisely the right time. I got this. My 35mm Minolta camera is the bomb. And I'm thankful for it, because without this camera, my new hobby would be non-existent. So maybe I stepped in horse poop today, maybe I worked outside in the heat for photos that I'll never see. I still pat myself on the back. Because the Lord knows I'm trying; He knows I'm building a passion for this. And I think he would be proud that I still love Him no matter what, because it's all for His glory.