Unknown future…
ADVANCE NOTICE…part TWO of a two day blog
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.
Proverbs 3:5-6 GNT
Each of us lives only in the present moment, a mere fragment of time: the rest is life past or uncertain future.
Marcus Aurelius
Within a month of starting “Paths of Joy Nature Photography”, I knew with absolute certainty that God wanted more than my sharing nature photography. I knew that it was TIME for my main interests (faith, people, nature, writing, photography) to combine in a way to encourage others. A friend prayed for me to be able to discern how to move forward…and thus was born the inception of Daily Inspiration, a blog page on Paths of Joy. It’s a place where I truly rely on God to inspire me with thoughts and words to share to encourage and support others. Of course, He also has given me many nature photos through the years that dovetail nicely with the blogs!
As the months have gone by, Daily Inspiration has grown and changed to reach anyone who loves nature, whether of faith or not. In general, odd numbered dates have short quotes and/or Scripture with “matching” nature images. It’s fascinating for me to discover “old” quotes that still hold such a tremendous amount of wisdom. Even numbered dates are when I share thoughts and ideas about life. Often, but not always, the blog may have a Christian foundation, but there are many paths of joy in life.
Where will this all go? I truly don’t know. Nature photography as art is a an extremely challenging business to develop. I DO hope that it grows and becomes marginally successful. If you know me, then you know that “successful” means enough to be fun in providing beautiful photos and thoughts to share with others while earning a small income, but not so much demand that it feels like work…or compromises my time with God, loved ones, and nature. Will the photography aspect of Paths of Joy grow and thrive? I don’t know; only a few years’ time will tell.
As for the blog, I’ve already seen God’s hand in touching the lives of others, including my own. More than 400 people have viewed at least one blog, though only a handful follow regularly. This is one reason why feedback from others is so encouraging for me. I remember when I had been doing Scripture ‘n Picture for almost ten years; sometimes people would tell me that they so appreciated the outreach…yet, until that moment, I had no idea that they were “regulars” as there was never so much as a “thumbs up” or “heart” far less a comment. Yet, feedback is not why I did Scripture ‘n Picture, nor is it why I am doing the blog; it’s all about letting God use me to inspire and support others. So, at least for now, God is asking me to be faithful to Daily Inspiration while simultaneously giving me blog ideas….so I will comply.
May the Daily Inspiration blogs encourage you and give pause for thought. Please share blogs on your social media and with others. Often, there may be a blog which brings someone to mind, so share away! If you enjoy nature, consider purchasing gallery or inspirational art. Though large gallery pieces are exciting to create, it’s very rewarding when people buy inspirational art with the express purpose of encouraging others or reminding themselves of important ideas, whether from Scripture or quotes. Most of all, seek to walk paths of joy in your own life!
