It all began on a hurried descent from my room, down the 76 steps to Classroom A where my Greek 2 quiz over infinitives was already in progress. I needed my cameras for an event later in the day, so in an attempt to save time (and stairs) I grabbed both of my cameras while departing my room. I made it out of my room, locked the door, and had just crested the first stair when...it happened. Unbeknownst to me, the lens on my faithful Canon Digital Rebel was not fully attached, and with a sickening, gut wrenching groan I watched my camera hurtling toward the concrete steps, the lens still firmly clasped in my hand. My heart sank a little with each thud of the camera as it struck nearly every stair on the way down before sliding across the landing, smashing into the wall, and finally coming to rest. Now, some of you may be thinking, "It's just a camera. Yeah, it's expensive, but easily replaceable." To that I respond, as sentimental as this may sound, this camera was the catalyst into my love of photography. I have taken literally hundreds of thousands of photos with this camera. It is essentially an extension of my arm. Maybe that will give you a sense of the emptiness I experienced. But, I digress, I rushed over to the camera and carefully picked it up. No broken pieces. No apparent gouges or cracks. I flip the "On" switch. It comes to life. I take a picture, a horrendous, bone-chilling whine, and a blank screen. ... ... I continued on to Greek class, and took my quiz. Let's just say, I'm glad he gave this one as a "practice". My mind was far from the Greek uses of infinitives (not that it was ever close, but, that's beside the point). After the quiz, I once again remove the lens from the camera, and look at the shutter. For those of you who don't know, the shutter looks like a small mirror inside the camera, and opens and closes which takes the picture. I notice that the shutter was a little crooked. I figured, 'What have I got to loose?' I carefully took my index finger, guessed on which side needed to be adjusted, and pushed. I soon heard a snap, and it was once again, even. I turned the camera on, and pressed the shutter button. "Snap!" Relief flooded over me. I quickly reattached the lens and tried again. A picture appeared on the back of the screen! Another wave of relief washed over me.

I'm so grateful that God cares about what matters to us! He was under no obligation to intervene in this situation. He was not required to help me. But He knew how much this camera meant to me, and worked a small miracle for me. But, I would be amiss if I were to leave it there. I strongly believe that my desires were not the only reason He intervened (though they may have been a part of it). My ultimate purpose is to bring glory to my Creator, and, apparently, He still wishes me to use this camera to do it. Everything I own is sanctified (set apart) for His use, so, in essence, this is His camera. It's like Dr. Phil said, 'Isn't it nice when God wants us to use the same things we want to use.' One of my favorite instruments to bring glory to God is my camera, maybe its different for you. But if I might encourage you, look around at the things in your life. What do you enjoy doing? Stop looking at these things as 'insignificant'. Instead, view them as tools to bring glory to your Creator, and personal gifts from Him. If you do, I have a feeling things will change.

Ryan

Tags: Photography, Nightmare