There is so much more to a moment than whatever it is we’re framing in a lens when trying to capture it. There are emotions undetected by the camera. There are piles of laundry just around the corner. There is the argument that happened moments earlier between the two siblings now being darling for the camera. There are feelings of inadequacy, even when we share a creative something we copied from Pinterest. There is the long tiring day that doesn’t get erased when we show the yummy dinner we whipped up for our family.
And yet….our online identities are being shaped by these pretty images.By what we choose to share. By one frame of a moment. By the best captures of our day. So in my post What the Camera Doesn’t Show, I asked you to join me in sharing a little bit more to our current reality than the cute pictures we post on Instagram and Facebook. Or as some have done, capture with your lens the less photogenic parts of your life!
Our inroads through social media expand our communities, but they seem to limit our identities. For there is no way you can fully be known through the internet. Take me, for example. I often share with you details of my life that are honest and sincere, parts of my heart that feel vulnerable to reveal. I don’t write about what I do….I write about who I am and how God is shaping me through the activities and people around me. This gives you a window into my life, into my heart. But it’s near impossible for you to really know me if all you see of me are my writings and pictures. My truest identity is known by those near to me, living with me, communing with me, fellowshipping with me, praying with me, listening to me. It’s a good thing, then, that I don’t write my blog so that you will know me…..I write so that you will know Him. That my story will point to His story, my life to His life, my love to his love. And if all I ever show you is the creative corners of my house and clean corners of my heart, I will fail at the very thing I want to do most with my story.
This is the motivation behind #whatthecameradoesntshow. A cry for authenticity. A call to infuse our online communication with a healthy dose of truth and realness. It’s so good for the one posting…and the ones viewing. I thought I’d share a few pictures that have showed up with the hashtag in hopes to get you to join us!
Thankful for two brave mamas who chose life. As if God knit them inside me, these two darlings are mine. That only happens through the blood of Jesus. #whatthecameradoesntshow is just how broken it is that they every needed me to be their mama. I pray those mothers are experiencing a redemptive side to their sacrificial surrender. #adoption #life
Grilled chicken, asparagus, and sweet potato — can’t wait until it all comes from our own family farm! #whatthecameradoesntshow is that this is the first time all week I made dinner. I hate cooking and usually end up doing it out of guilt, not a desire to care for my family.
Flowers from a friend. Thankful. #whatthecameradoesntshow is that I am a bit jealous of her today. She dropped the flowers off with her kids in the car ready to go to the part. i want to take my kids to the park. We will end up at a park later at dinner time for soccer practice. When kids are hungry and tired at the end of a long day that will feel like we have run a marathon…
She wrote all over the wall and her legs. #whatthecameradoesntshow is mommy was on her phone too much today and she did this to get her attention.
Mowing the yard with a non-self propelled push mower is an awesome workout. #whatthecameradoesntshow is that I did it to have some peace and quiet from my toddler for an hour.
This one. She’s mine. Still perflexes me. #whatthecameradoesntshow is a lot of mommy guilt in my life lately. A lot of feeling like a failure as a mom. And that she’s slurping down a slushy that I also have mommy guilt over. There are a lot of changes that need to happen but sometimes I feel lost as how to change. Lots of prayer and grace. #1000gifts
It was nap time and she came waddling to me, crying. Within seconds of me holding her, she was sleeping. She just needed an embrace. #whatthecameradoesntshow is I can’t rock every one of them to sleep but I can see as they all watch me hold one that they want touch as well. I struggle to not feel guilt and to make sure I hold each one.
They love cracked corn. #whatthecameradoesntshow is how I sing to them every morning. #whatthecameradoesntshow is the terrible odor they leave on my hands after I feed and scratch their ears.
There’s one more teenager in the world! Gathered around hearing the birth story and looking at the one and only scrapbook I’ve ever started and never finished. #whatthecameradoesntshow is my heart aching just a bit at how big he is and how little time I have left with him under my roof. And how I wish he would soften more readily to my embrace.
Never fun to wake up to. Never. #whatthecameradoesntshow is that I’ve been gone more than usual this week so there are many other corners of my house that look just like this.
May God teach us how to ever be faithful and genuine with our stories, with the way we communicate, with the way we share who we are. May you have beautiful moments to capture, countless gifts to count!
I’m environmentsofgrace on Instagram — who are you? Join us in sharing #whatthecameradoesntshow
May 22 2013 @ 1:18 pm
This is great! If we don’t share Jesus and the love of God, we have wasted our time! Thanks.