The Picture

Easter Sunday morning, after we were dressed up for church, I took a few pictures of the kiddos. Lisa uploaded them to facebook last night. She claims one of Little Sister is the best she has ever taken. The truth is that Jillie Bean usually is tearful or fitful when professional pictures are made. So perhaps it is her best ever picture.

I got to thinking about how it was that her Papa, in very poor lighting, was the one to capture her best-ever picture. I took a lotof snapshoots that morning and some were horrible. I am not a professional photographer. I had no props or special filters. But there is the pictoral evidence. She is delightfully playful with a hint of mischief in her eyes -- in other words, the real Gracie-Girl!

A lot of life is like that. It's not about being good. It's about being persistent. A persistant prayer life is one into which transcendent moments come. A faithful commitment to marriage allows a couple to experience the rapturous passion that sweeps them off their feet to fall in love all over again. Consistently being there for others means you'll be there when they really need you. Daily debriefs around the dinner table opens the channel for the kids to share when things aren't going well.

So last night, as I slipped into bed too late to pray with Lisa, I gently layed my hand on her shoulder and spent awhile lifting her to Our Father. I prayed for my children. I prayed that I might be faithful and persistance in the things that matter so I can be there for the next Picture-Perfect moment.

Get the picture?