A Picture Says a Thousand Words

"Dear Photograph"
CC BY-ND 2.0 DEED by vuOng.
Source: Flickr

While we’ve likely all heard (and most of us have used) the adage “a picture is worth a thousand words.” For centuries, we have acknowledged the power of imagery to communicate in ways that words simply do not: from da Vinci’s comparison of poetry to painting, Turgenev comparing a sketch and a novel, to modern interpretations as we live in a time of digital photography and phone cameras.

This week a friend and I were sharing pictures of our hairstyles from long ago. It was a giggle; we also started to comment on the makeup styles, clothing, home decorations, etc. (I will not be sharing those photos! Ha!) The photos took us on an amusing journey through history; the recent photos communicated a different story: where we are now, and how we’ve changed. Relationships have ended, we have absent friends, our present realities do not reflect the dreams that were held at the time of the photos.

We chatted about how overall, we are taking more pictures than ever, and printing fewer and fewer. We do not always connect the same importance to photos now that we did even 35 years ago. (My camera roll from this week included a price sticker for cost comparison, a screen shot from a hockey game, a parking location reminder… and many many dog photos!)

The pictures we take, share, and keep, speak of a certain time and place; and we are glad to have the old ones; for the thousands of words that they communicate to our hearts are worth it!

The challenge could come in if we were trying to use old photos to convey the thousand words of today. I have a few more wrinkles and a longer hair than in some older photos; if I wanted to present my authentic self I would want to choose a picture that showed that.

The same becomes important for our communities – our churches – when we represent ourselves. The photos of years gone by are wonderful reminders of the past; but they do not always speak to our present.

If we remember that every image we share conveys a thousand words, it is helpful for us to consider what the current message is that we are aiming to communicate; and the implications of that message.
Imagery that lacks authenticity (like an older photo of a massive Sunday School in a parish that presently does not offer children’s ministry) will reflect poorly on that church; and will lead to guests wondering if there are other areas of duplicity or inaccuracy.
Likewise, when a church refraining from photos of children on social media, it may be communicating care for the vulnerable in their care; and folks can extrapolate a community that extends concern for all who engage.

A thousand words is a lot; there is a lot of information in our photos. We are fortunate to be able to demonstrate an authentic and genuine care in how we communicate ourselves, our lives, our faith, to the world.

Growing into the Space

Stock Photo: Not my plants!

One of the challenges of moving includes the downsizing of houseplants. (Which also means that my friends were gifted many houseplants prior to my move!) Upon arriving at my new home last year, I had a small selection of plants that had survived the journey westward. They were planted carefully, and given some time and extra care to adapt to their new environment.

That strategy succeeded, as this weekend I spent some time re-potting some of the plants, that were outgrowing their containers. Some were ready to be divided, as their roots were crowding their pots. Others simply were re-homed to a larger container with some fresh soil. Some are doing just fine as they are, and they didn’t need to go through any re-potting.

In unearthing the roots of one particularly enthusiastic grower, my mind recalled the adage “bloom where you’re planted” – always good advice, to engage with the environment you’re in, to the best of your ability. Putting down roots is wonderful, and being given the space and encouragement to grow stronger and more vibrant is exciting!

This little plant made me consider that had it been ignored, its growth would have stagnated. So, a larger pot should allow it to continue to bloom – and thrive. It’s not that it needed a change of venue, for it seems to quite enjoy the light and warmth it gets in the window – it just needed an amendment of circumstances.

Too often, we get accustomed to one way of being, and we can get stuck there – the lack of growth isn’t noted as a problem. Our spiritual journeys, our prayer lives, our community involvement: we are designed to do more than just survive as we are – we are encouraged to thrive.

Perhaps we too might consider a spiritual re-potting – of ourselves and our faith communities. While we can survive well as we are, I cherish the hope of spiritual growth with an increased opportunity to grow myself, and to be an encourager in allowing otherrs to thrive in their space.

The Light Seeps Through

When I was attending the UNCSW last month, I found myself once again in the chapel on a daily basis. The chapel there has a long history of being safe space for people of faith to grapple with the call for justice and equality, as we are faced with some of the nuanced and intersectional challenges of the world.

The chapel is a place of healing; as one would wish for any space that is marked as holy ground. (One could easily argue that all ground is holy, it is our refusal to acknowledge its holiness that creates problems. But that’s for another blog reflection.)

This year, we had one person identify a sense of belonging in the chapel, that they have felt decreasing in their home faith community.
Another found ongoing healing in the courage and encouragement to tell their story, and have it held in trust by those listening.
Someone else revealed deeply rooted hurts, and in sharing that truth felt ongoing healing to be renewed and refreshed. They spoke from scars, not wounds.
One sang of the power of God’s love to transcend earthly challenges and setbacks.
One unknowingly relinquished justified anger towards an abuser.

Undoubtedly, many other healings happened: the chapel is a sacred space.
Healing seeps in; like light through the stained glass window. Amorphous, evolving, uncontrollable, beautiful.
And undeniably holy.
It is a force one hopes that everyone who seeks healing can find; regardless of location or circumstance.

1Jn 1.7 if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us