susan chambers designs: project 365 {december}

Project completed.
For the last 365 days I have taken at least one photograph.
In today's Instagram world, that may not seem like much of a challenge.
But I approached this year seeking something more than a picture of the day.
I think I wanted to learn to live in the present.
To see the glory in the everyday.
To breathe deep and give thanks.

I learned last January that not every day could be "art."

More days than not, I wrestled with my perfectionist tendencies.
There were countless times I thought
I wish I had my camera.

Other days I could have shared a whole story in pictures.
Sometimes I captured something and thought,
Well that was just dumb luck.
Sometimes the picture was more calculated.
Some are favorites.
Others, not so much.

People ask me what I look for first when I take a picture.
The answer is always the same.
Light.
I always look for the light.
My search for the "perfect" picture each day has led me to a search for light.

And so it is the Light that has opened my eyes.
Shown me shades of beauty and grace in the midst of the mundane.
Revealed cracks and exposed darkness hidden in my secret places.
Poured shimmering rays on glorious milestone days.
Invited me to marvel and stand in awe.
Reminded me of why I am here.

You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
(Matthew 5:14, The Message)

While my 365 days worth of images don't begin to scratch the surface,
they are my feeble attempt to bring out the God-colors in the world.
To see and share Him at every turn.

For the first time in over a year,
my camera is staying in the bag today.
But you can be sure I'll still be looking for the Light.
Happy New Year!

All I have seen teaches me
to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson