Stranded
Stranded ashore and waiting to be useful, that is what I take away from this image. I captured this photograph on an overcast day, walking around Peggy’s cove...
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Stranded ashore and waiting to be useful, that is what I take away from this image. I captured this photograph on an overcast day, walking around Peggy’s cove, in Nova Scotia. I was drawn to the weathered bow of this boat, tethered by a light blueish rope, which was anchored to a nearby rock. I can only imagine that last time this boat was in the water. It appears to be in for some much-needed repairs and quite possibly a new paint job. Whomever the boat owner is, he has found a treasure of time worn paint layers.
Life is funny to me, sometimes. When things are weighing heavily on my mind, often just a photograph speaks volumes. What is that ‘ole saying…” a picture is worth 1000 words?” This photo spoke volumes to me. While processing this picture, I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between the boat and myself.
The boat appears old, worn out, faded and starting to show signs of uselessness. How many of us feel like this boat at times in our lives? Battered and warn, by unforeseen storms. Until recently, I was feeling just that, battered, worn, and useless. To stick with the sea analogy, it was like being in a boat, lost at sea, and being tossed about, by rough seas and high winds. Often times, a storm is brought into our lives for various reasons. My storm rocked me pretty good and the more I fought it the more I realized I wasn’t in control. The illusion was, I never had control to begin with.
I believe in God and my faith has been a big part of who I am, but during this time of depression, I questioned my faith and I questioned God, a lot. I felt abandoned; kind of like the boat in this picture and didn’t really pray, as I had nothing to say anymore. Through it all, I still went to church with my wife every week, sang all the worship songs every week, and bowed my head to pray every week. Ironically, it was one of my photos and the process of doing “Church”, that eventually started bringing me around.
I served on the social media team last year, as a photographer, for my church. I took a photograph of the worship band with a big WELCOME on the video screens, for Church use and didn't give it much thought after that. It wasn't long after that I had quit the team and quit photography all together. I sold off almost all of my gear and just walked away. That welcome picture, however, is used to welcome folks to our church, just about every Sunday. I ignored that photo for a long time. Probably out of anger and frustration, but seeing that photo one day, reminded me that I still had a purpose and through my art work, I was touching peoples lives. Seeing that photo, for some reason sparked a little light in me and I just bowed my head and whispered “Your will be done.” Those 4 little words is all it took for me to relinquish control. You know, the control I never had. Believe it or not, that is when things started happening for the better.
Sometimes God allows storms in our lives to put us on a different path. Sometimes for other reasons. Everyone’s journey is unique to them. That is where testimony comes from. That gives us the ability to share with others, the dark paths we have walked and share how God has brought us through it. Once we make it through, we can enjoy the calm seas on the other side of the storm. Not everyone makes it through, I get that and it’s sad. Seek help if you need it. I chose to fight alone and that was hard, very hard. My wife stood by my side through it all, reassuring me that everything will eventually be OK and I am grateful to her.
My seas have calmed down, thankfully, and I am rediscovering photography and seeing things in a whole new light. All of us get stuck, not doing or knowing what we were meant to do or who we are meant to be. I do know this, we are all here for a reason; a purpose, if you will. Our stories are not over. Keep plugging along. I am taking pictures again and writing mini stories to go along with my photos. This has been therapeutic and has helped me to heal inside and out. Thank you to those of you who enjoy my photos and now my stories. I hope to touch many more lives someday.
Read less
Life is funny to me, sometimes. When things are weighing heavily on my mind, often just a photograph speaks volumes. What is that ‘ole saying…” a picture is worth 1000 words?” This photo spoke volumes to me. While processing this picture, I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between the boat and myself.
The boat appears old, worn out, faded and starting to show signs of uselessness. How many of us feel like this boat at times in our lives? Battered and warn, by unforeseen storms. Until recently, I was feeling just that, battered, worn, and useless. To stick with the sea analogy, it was like being in a boat, lost at sea, and being tossed about, by rough seas and high winds. Often times, a storm is brought into our lives for various reasons. My storm rocked me pretty good and the more I fought it the more I realized I wasn’t in control. The illusion was, I never had control to begin with.
I believe in God and my faith has been a big part of who I am, but during this time of depression, I questioned my faith and I questioned God, a lot. I felt abandoned; kind of like the boat in this picture and didn’t really pray, as I had nothing to say anymore. Through it all, I still went to church with my wife every week, sang all the worship songs every week, and bowed my head to pray every week. Ironically, it was one of my photos and the process of doing “Church”, that eventually started bringing me around.
I served on the social media team last year, as a photographer, for my church. I took a photograph of the worship band with a big WELCOME on the video screens, for Church use and didn't give it much thought after that. It wasn't long after that I had quit the team and quit photography all together. I sold off almost all of my gear and just walked away. That welcome picture, however, is used to welcome folks to our church, just about every Sunday. I ignored that photo for a long time. Probably out of anger and frustration, but seeing that photo one day, reminded me that I still had a purpose and through my art work, I was touching peoples lives. Seeing that photo, for some reason sparked a little light in me and I just bowed my head and whispered “Your will be done.” Those 4 little words is all it took for me to relinquish control. You know, the control I never had. Believe it or not, that is when things started happening for the better.
Sometimes God allows storms in our lives to put us on a different path. Sometimes for other reasons. Everyone’s journey is unique to them. That is where testimony comes from. That gives us the ability to share with others, the dark paths we have walked and share how God has brought us through it. Once we make it through, we can enjoy the calm seas on the other side of the storm. Not everyone makes it through, I get that and it’s sad. Seek help if you need it. I chose to fight alone and that was hard, very hard. My wife stood by my side through it all, reassuring me that everything will eventually be OK and I am grateful to her.
My seas have calmed down, thankfully, and I am rediscovering photography and seeing things in a whole new light. All of us get stuck, not doing or knowing what we were meant to do or who we are meant to be. I do know this, we are all here for a reason; a purpose, if you will. Our stories are not over. Keep plugging along. I am taking pictures again and writing mini stories to go along with my photos. This has been therapeutic and has helped me to heal inside and out. Thank you to those of you who enjoy my photos and now my stories. I hope to touch many more lives someday.
Read less
Jan, 2020Views
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