My friend Jodi is a scrapbooker, a diligent keeper of stories. She treasures the special moments, takes the pictures, and keeps the photos all organized till she can find a few minutes for herself. She saves up these memories in neat little boxes, collects just the right stickers and papers, and buys special tape and fancy scissors. And she bides her time. When she finds a few hours to craft, she lovingly arranges the pictures so that they retell those memories. She curates her family’s story.
God Wrote Your Story
The Lord is the best keeper of stories. He is the Author of all life. He plans our special moments before we are born. His scrapbook is full of stories about us, His children. He knows us so well. He sees all the messes that we are going to make, before we make them, and He loves us anyway. In fact, He sent Jesus Christ to make sure that all of our stories, even the hard ones, have a happy ending: “We have been made right in God’s sight by faith. We have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1, NLT).
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:16, NLT
Did you ever think about how God wrote your story? Next time you take pictures to post on Facebook — pictures of your family on vacation, or dinner with friends, or your new haircut — remember that all of your story was written before you were born. God has left nothing to chance. He is always at work to fulfill His plans for you. He makes it so you can grow in wisdom and love and peace. He wants you to walk closely with Him everyday. He will stop at nothing to meet you in the middle.
My good friend Kristin has a link-up called 3 Word Wednesday. She is joining us on this project, so we are joining her too!
This is so beautiful, Britta. I am compelled by people’s stories, so this resonated with me. Thank you!
Thank you Mandy! Not all of my friends have blogs, so I asked them for their pictures. I am so grateful for Jodi – she always supports. I love stories too! I wish I was a better scrapbooker, but God gives us other ways to keep our stories. I love knowing that nothing surprises Him…that He is totally on top of everything, even if it looks like things are falling apart. He holds everything together!
I love this. You totally put into words some of the reasons I scrapbook. I love this the visual before and after and thinking about all that happens between snapping those photos and then getting them into albums.
I admire you and all the other scrapbooking mommas…y’all are able to demonstrate your love to your families in a tangible way. Curating the time spent together into beautiful keepsakes that can be enjoyed for decades…such an act of love. 🙂