The Reason For My Hope

This past Saturday was the 8 year anniversary of the day my Dad went home to Jesus. And still, after 8 years, a day doesn't go by that I don't think of him in some way. Sometimes it seems that it was just yesterday that I could call him up and hear him call me "sweetie-doodle", and other days it seems almost like he never really existed except in my memory. I miss him terribly. My heart aches that he never got to meet Mark, Chris, Anna, or the rest of my siblings' spouses and kids. How he would have loved them all! He would have been so very proud of his (almost) 16 grandchildren! I am sad that I don't get to show him what I am doing now; I bet he would be excited to see my latest photos. Since his passing holidays have become bittersweet; while I of course love to gather and celebrate, they just haven't been the same. His infectious holiday spirit - oh how he loved Christmas! - is missed.

I spent the day on Saturday photographing a wedding for Heather and John. They are a cute couple, and the wedding was so sweet. (I can't wait to blog the photos!) But, I have to admit that I teared up a bit more than usual. As I watched all of the special father-daughter moments - the first moment her dad saw her in her dress, walking her down the aisle, the father-daughter dance, etc. - I have to admit that I was jealous! I never got to have those moments with my dad.

And yet, though I was sad during those moments, and though I miss him so much every day, I have hope. I think that is probably my favorite word. Hope. I love it because of what it means - that I will get to see my Dad again. That he is not hurting. That one day I will leave this mess of a world behind and get to hear my dad call me "sweetie-doodle" again. And my hope is not the same hope that the world has. That kind of hope is a "oh, I hope I get that new toy for Christmas" hope. It is a hope that may or may not be fulfilled. But the hope that I have WILL be fulfilled. My dad IS in heaven, and I WILL get to see him again.

Now I ask, do you have that hope? I have that hope because I know the author of that hope: Jesus. He has given me that promise, and He cannot lie.

During this holiday season, it is so easy to get caught up in the gifts, the baking, the decorations, the family gatherings, etc. And those are all good things - I love them all! But please, please, take a moment to consider the reason that we celebrate. We celebrate because God the Father sent His precious Son, Jesus, to save us. To give us hope. I ask again: do you have that hope?

If you have any questions, please just shoot me an email: caroline@carolinenicolephotography.com. I'd love to talk to you!