by Sandra Allen Lovelace @SandraALovelace #WallflowerWomen
A friend, let’s call her Tina, climbed onto the Instagram learning curve. She was satisfied with the simple ways she was able to enhance her photos, but she wanted to add text. A kind friend we’ll call Edie showed her how to use the SnapSeed app.
Tina felt as if she’d entered a whole new world. Now she could make images look as if they were 3-D or vintage or . . . . And she could make memes. Visions of creative sessions that fed the right side of her brain danced behind her eyes. Until she was on her own.
That’s when the Frustration Monster nearly squeezed the life out of her.
His attack began as she looked over the brief notes she’d taken. She had to stop and rewrite them. Each step was gruelling as she made her way through the process. It was getting the screen to respond to her touch that caused panicked breathing. That’s when her fingers grabbed her iPhone as if to choke the app into submission.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t figure out the exact spot nor the right pressure. Whenever she lost control and tapped more than pushed, her previous efforts disappeared. I hope she won’t mind my telling you it took two weeks for Tina to figure out that a gentle yet clear contact with a light brush was the solution. Things went easier after that.
Holy Spirit dwells within, and He never wastes an opportunity to make life meaningful. Let the insights He brought to Tina as she settled into the SnapSeed process bless you as well.
She smiled at the Truth about life in general in the first verse, remembering times she’d foolishly lost her temper. How about you?
1) A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).*
Her breathing stirred over the verse that carried the idea that being gentle is a healing action. Does yours?
2) But we [Paul, Silas, Timothy] were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children (1 Thessalonians 2:7).
Her eyes dropped with the next prompt. Does your heart open to the Savior’s call with the connection between His gentle yet clear touch and rest?
3) Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29).
The latest verse fixed Tina’s mind on the LORD’s promise like a beacon into her future. Do you see it?
4) Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). NASB
At this point my friend looks forward to posting on Instagram. She delights in turning a simple photo into a work of art even as she continues to learn. Her life is growing richer as she learns to apply a gentle yet clear touch there as well.
Which tip stands out to you?
I’d enjoy hearing a word or two.
Joyfully triumphant,
Sandra
*ESV, unless otherwise noted
**Please don’t ask for Tina’s email address. 😉