How often do you compare yourself to someone else? I have done it so much, I can't even count the times I have said things such as: "I wish I had a body like hers." "Their home is much nicer than what I have." "If I could only take photographs like (fill in the blank), then I would be successful like them." "Look at my friend, (fill in the blank), she/he has so many talents, gifts and abilities."
One day, I am driving down the road on my way home and I said to the Lord, "Why does she have so many gifts and talents? She sings, she dances, she does choreography, she is a percussionist, she is an artist, she is an author, she is an illustrator, she is a beautician, she is an actor. Why is all of this talent in one petite package?" Do you know what the Lord's reply was to me? He said, "You had all of those talents, but you did not use them." I was crushed. I had allowed the circumstances of life to hinder me from doing things I loved to do. There was a time in my life after a nasty break-up that I lost my love of photography and did not touch my Nikon FM or any other camera for a very long time. I don't remember what got me to pick up my camera again, but I am so glad I did.
I fell in love with the photography of Ross Oscar Knight of Atlanta, GA after seeing a slide show he had done of an engagement session at the Ritz. I found out later that not only was he a fellow photographer, he was also a brother in the Lord. I waited anxiously for new postings to his blog and usually left comments about the wonderful work he did. I had an opportunity to meet Ross and his lovely wife Brandi on a business trip to Atlanta in December of 2010. He is so real and down-to-earth and humble. In my mind, I wanted to shoot like him. But guess what? I am not him and God has given me a gift that is different from the gift he gave Ross.
Today, a line in Scarlett's prayer leaped off the page at me..."I confess that I look around at how talented other photographers are and I think less of the gift You have given me." Wow, I never looked at it that way before. When we compare ourselves and our God-given gifts, talents and abilities to someone else, we are devaluing those things. So, today, I endeavor to stop comparing my gifts to the gifts of others. You never know, others may be looking at what you do and think less of the gifts they have. Armed with this insight, I can now look at their work and appreciate what they do, but mostly I need to appreciate how God has gifted me.
Thank you, Lord for all with which you have blessed me. I appreciate the gifts you have given me. Help me to be a good enough Christian, mom, friend, spouse, employee, photographer, sister, and neighbor.
I love You, Lord
Pamela
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