SFS Contest Picture of the Day Week 51
Life is a process, there are millions of moments in life, some of which are common moments, and others are extraordinary. So many of these moments are forgotten, but there are some things that we will always keep in our hearts. It is in these moments that we grow, get motivation and are reminded of the significance of love, friendship and purpose. The picture above represents one of the moments in my life. It may seem to be a mere photograph of a group of individuals sitting together at first sight. But to me it is much more than that. It is a reminder of happiness, friendship, and one of the most significant days of my life.
This Sunday opened as any other Sunday. The sun came up and I was ready to minister at a church program which I had been invited to attend. This call was by one of my close friends and he had the trust that I could minister in his church. It was an honor I did not reckon with, as to be bidden to service, in the spiritual home of any one, is an honour and confidence. I prayed and God was supposed to guide me to be a blessing to the people that day.
At church, I was received very well when I arrived. There was an air of worship and anticipation. Humans were impatient to listen to the Word of God and be blessed. I was very nervous and excited to stand before the congregation but as I started ministering I felt a great peace in my heart. The language rolled and the audience listened to him with open hearts. It had nothing to do with me, but God using me as a vessel to motivate and inspire people. I was very fulfilled by the time the ministration was over.
My friend was visiting me after the service. He also showed me some of his close friends that had been through the program. We sat around talking and sharing ideas about life, faith and the message of the day. I felt the most moved by the openness and gentleness of all. Although, I was meeting some of them the first time, I did not feel a stranger. Rather, we were like long time friends.
It is during this point that someone offered to take a joint photo. There was no planning, and it was correct. We sat down, arranged ourselves on the seats provided and grinned to camera. The image also reflected not only our faces but also the happiness of unity, the friendship of companionship, and the pleasure of serving God. After viewing the image some time after, I knew that it was not just a group photo, but an image of a moveable memory.
The meaning of this picture is what I find so special about this picture. First, it reminds me that I had a chance to minister in the church of my friend. It was an environment of responsibility and credibility. My friend trusted me so that I could share with his church family. That sort of help is very uncommon and I will never forget it. Two, the photograph reminds me of the friendships that were made and strengthened that day. Friendship is a precious thing in life, and the individuals in that photograph symbolize comfort, solidarity and support.
Another thing the image tells me concerns the beauty of community. It is very easy to be lonely or isolated in life, but moments like this one reminds us that we are never alone. People surround us who care, who share our values and who walk with us in faith. Community provides us with strength, and this day was a strong one.
The other factor that made this moment memorable is the mood of celebration. We do not necessarily experience the programs or events that we are attending, and sometimes, we walk away without a sense of belonging. But this was different. Laughing, smiling, and very happy we were. This happiness comes out in the picture. When I see it, my thought always comes back to the fact that people can get happiness in relationships, serving others and lots of moments together, rather than in wealth, possessions.
Another important lesson learned during this experience was related to gratitude. We tend to be complacent in our lives and go through one thing to another. However, it is events such as these that help us to stop and reflect on the blessings we possess. Ministering, the gift of friendship, and the possibility to capture a beautiful memory are all things I will never take lightly.
In hindsight, I understand that this day was not my only ministering day. It was all about being connected, supported and creating relationships that are lasting. That is what the picture is a representation of. It narrates about a belief in action, of people gathering together to worship God and each other. It is evidence that the most special things in life occur when we are least expecting it.
To conclude, this image is not only a picture. It is a story, an education and a treasure. It narrates about a Sunday of serving, friendship and happiness. It also teaches me that the greatest things in life are not necessarily grand things but just ordinary moments with people that you can count on. And it is treasure in the sense that each time I look at it, I am transported to the same day that I experienced the happiness of ministering, the friendship, and the beauty of community. Definitely this image depicts one of the most emotional moments of my life, a moment I will never forget and feel thankful and happy about.
I invite @sahmie @pea07 @alexanderpeace, @dequeen @shahidalinaz and @ashkhan @yahnel and @m-fdo to drop a very constructive comments on this post and also to participate in this contest.
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