Here is the story... =)
So, I like photography. I am not superb at it - but it's one of my most favorite things to do - capture beauty, life, colors and all that is speaking of His heartbeat
I had a camera that I greatly enjoyed. Decent size and all kinds of cool settings =) Now, go back with me about six months or so, mid- fall.
One day (suspense)... I found myself hearing God tell me that the camera I greatly enjoy is no longer mine - so I should put it away. Huh? I have to admit, I think I tried to discern whether I was hearing right for a week or so...not putting the camera away - but using it. He kept on knocking 'Nope, not yours any more'. So I finally answered the knock and put the camera away. And so it laid there... for quite some time.
When a dear friend of mine, Weslea, was about to leave to Brazil for missions, God tugged on my heart that I should give the camera to her. I also had a feeling that this camera will not stay with her...hmm...
The tug took place about 4 or 5 months ago.. today I received an email from my friend Weslea with a story and here are some snippets from her email:
I have a wonderful story to tell you that involves me, you, a girl here and God.. The One who does incredible things.
As I was preparing to leave for Brazil, I sent out my newsletter and the Lord provided beautifully. After all the things I requested had been provided for (within 2 weeks!) someone asked me if I had a camera to take with me to Brazil. I said no.. They suggested that I write another email telling everyone that God had provided wonderfully and that if anyone still wanted to give that I was in need of a camera. I thought this was a good idea, but never got around to doing it (even though I wrote the email and tried sending it.. It didn’t work)
Then a friend of mine came to me only a few days later..pulled me aside and said “the Lord told me to give you my camera.. I really don’t want to because I love my camera and I told the Lord I don’t want to, but He won’t leave me alone about it. This is the first time He has asked me to do something like this.. I know it’s good...” etc etc etc I was blown away once again because I hadn’t told her or anyone about this need.. But God knew and spoke..
THEN you wrote to me telling me that the Lord had spoken to you about giving me a camera. I was in awe and was close to telling you that someone had already given me one.. But I stopped and asked the Lord. And then asked you again if you felt the Lord had told you.. You said yes.. So ... If He said to then there is a reason. I didn’t say anything and would just receive.
The camera you gave me was a very nice one! I immediately asked the Lord.. “Oh Father.. Why did you give me this.. I have noooo clue how to use such things...but I trust You have a very specific purpose” I waited.
I came to Brazil and began using the first camera that I received because it was simpler and I already knew how to use it :) I prayed more about “your” camera and the Lord told me that He had someone He wanted me to give it to.. I was only to be the vessel used to bring it to Brazil. I almost cried with joy.....why? Because that just shows how much He cares and how much He loves.. That He knows the desire of someone in this country and loves them soo much that he used to other people from two different countries in order to bless her.
This past weekend we were doing ministry in the interior of MG (favellas etc) and a friend of mine told me that her dream was to learn photography. (She is very gifted in artistic things as such). Immediately I knew the camera was for her.. I could hardly wait until we got home to share with her and to give it to her.
We arrived home late and we were both pretty tired from the weekend of ministry.. But I called her into my room and shared with her the same story that I am sharing with you now—so that she would know the extent that Papa went in order to give her this camera...
She has begun taking pictures already and the Lord has changed her life drastically with this.. She said that just a few days earlier she had come to a place where she was actually doubting if God was real... She said never again....she said “I am a tree and this event is a root that just went real deep into the ground.. I’ll always remember this...” God is REAL and FOR REAL He loves us with an INCREDIBLE love.
Love. Extravagant Love.
.
