I am photographing Jeff Raymond, James Dockery, and Pat Davison at our Storytellers Abroad Multimedia Workshop in the Balkans this summer.

Last night my wife and I were out to dinner with another photographer and their spouse. We had discussed how to market yourself as a photographer at events like Chamber of Commerce hosts.

Dorie, my wife, reminded our friend that you have one of the most excellent jobs for most people as a photographer. Photographers are the yard on the other side of the fence that looks greener to your neighbors.

The Grass is Always Greener …

Photographers should know that perspective can often be very deceiving, yet we, too, let our eyes look at our neighbor’s yard and think it is greener until we are standing in the yard to see all the patches.

Ecclesiastes 6

6 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2 a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5 Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 6 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place?

7 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. 8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 11 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

Solomon’s point in his writing of Ecclesiastes is that God determines our lot in life, whether we’re rich or poor or in good health or wrong. But these things do not lead to happiness. That only comes as God grants it to us.

Jesus taught his disciples to be obedient to God.

10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

John 15:10-11

While we may work hard at keeping God’s commandments, we must also be reminded that we are human. We will screw up again and again. The good news is we are forgiven.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

John 15:10-11

The fourth class system of The Citadel is, for me, a great reminder of the idea of following orders yet always being wrong. Those who learn to follow those orders then move on to leadership places.

The excellent news about photographers appearing to have “Greener Grass” is that when you introduce yourself often, people want to know what you photograph. Where is the most exciting place you have been? Who is the most interesting person you have met?

While you may think that all the problems in your yard are horrible, remember today that you live where the grass is greener.

Prayer for today:

Dear Lord, thank you for the talents and gifts you have given me. Thank you for blessing me with being able to meet so many of your creations and get to know them, and tell their stories through my camera.

While there are so many things I could be doing today when I look around, Lord, keep me focused on your priorities. Please help me to stay true to your word and help me to keep your commandments.

While I might not understand why you have given me a burden today and a task to do that I don’t understand, please bring joy into my life that I am doing your will.