Everyone has gone to bed here in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and I have had a life change. No, really, a real life change… my business is going to directly reflect what has happened in my life tonight.
We were in our last time of talking about what the Lord had taught us this week and Maria declared that she is not going to become a photographer and another person was confirmed that he should become a pastor instead of the successful photographer that he was. That was shocking to me, that they would come to a photography retreat to hear us speak and then decide not to be photographers. I felt a stirring. I knew that the Lord was going to do something in my life this week but I didn’t realize how deep He would dig to uproot my fallow garden. He has started another phase of healing from my parent’s divorce, my pride in my marriage and completely revamping my business for a new season of passion for people and my job.
Did I mention that it’s completely revamping my business? Yes, dear readers, as Maria (love this girl) decided that everyone should pray over Erik, Ginny and I the Lord stirred in my heart and I felt it beat more than it ever has. He told me that I didn’t have to keep accepting weddings, that I could be finished as a wedding photographer. His peace covered me and a rush of TRUST in Him for this decision immediately made it’s home in me. I knew right then that I had the answer I had been looking for. You see, I have had a year full of filling my life with the world, trying new things to fill my voids and getting rid of the interests just as fast as I find them, never fully satisfied and always wanting more. I have tried travel, success, movies, cooking, horse riding, painting, harmonica playing, working out, playing the wii, reading books, gardening, home decoration, chuck wagon cooking, and so many other hobbies and you know what? Revelation hit tonight and I knew that I have been searching because my life was feeling so empty. I was not honoring my husband as I should, digging a pit of worldly things and spending money to find happiness like no other desperate 24 year old that I’ve ever seen. All of that was met with a flood of peace tonight and immediately removed my fears.
So, I will no longer be accepting anymore weddings. I will passionately finish out the 32 I have booked with a new excitement that the light is finally at the end of the tunnel, and get this… I will become a children/family/senior photographer. Who would have ever thought that I would want to do that?! God works in funny ways. Well, I have a new hope and passion for it, and I can spend all of my Saturdays resting like the Lord intended, with my husband and family, and God will provide where I will fall short. My life will have balance and purpose again. My burn out will recede and I will become all that God wants me to be.
So goodnight, for tomorrow I will wake up with new passion and purpose in life.
For The Love Workshop will rock your socks off if you are a Christian and a photographer. Do not doubt it. I have 24 people here who will tell you the same thing. Breakthroughs happen when people of like minds join together for a week seeking the heart of God.
by Lauren Clark
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