A Meaningful Life

This is profoundly moving.  I came across this today and am I so glad I did.  Although I feel like we are in a season of relative ease, and blessing, I have had long seasons of hardship and I can so relate to this song, and to the words spoken by John Piper.  Living for Christ makes life meaningful.  More than money, careers, success, fame, health, beauty, popularity, or even any earthly relationships....
Whatever you're facing, know that He intends it for your good.  He is shaping, refining, and molding you into who He has called you to be- and drawing you closer in the process.  Just as we see the stars brilliantly against the dark sky, we see Him gloriously through suffering.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

I come, God I come
I return to the Lord
The one who's broken
The one who's torn me apart
You struck down to bind me up
You say You do it all in love
That I might know You in Your suffering
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I'll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I'll know every tear was worth it all
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Though tonight I'm crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You're still all that I need
You're enough for me
You're enough for me
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Sing a song to the one who's all I need

Anchored, Imperfect & Beautiful

Tomorrow is a big day- a lovely wedding taking place at the Minnesota Arboretum and the Minneapolis Golf Club. I am beyond excited about photographing the day, the love, the emotion and the stories lived out.  I always like to spend the Friday before a wedding looking for inspiration and living out inspiration.  Today, that meant going for a walk with my little ones and soaking up the sun, warmth and beautiful leaves that are just starting their transformation.  It also meant reading up on a few of my favorite photographers and I came across this from Gina Zeidler:


"Y’all will you join me in battling the the lie that everyone else has it together and we don’t. How you might ask? By being honest, humble and real.  Admitting our faults with our triumphs so that we all can see each other as we really are. Imperfect and beautiful." 


This topic has been on my mind, heart & lips as of late.  This issue of trying to communicate that we have it 'all together' is an issue of humanity- and is probably more pervasive in our country than most.  It is an issue of pride first and foremost.  But I think it is also a fear.  We fear being transparent because it leaves us vulnerable.  And what I am learning again, through recent hurt from a friendship I held dear and the forming and building of many new, blessed friendships, is that vulnerability is beautiful & scary all at once.  But it doesn't have to be scary.  And this is the beautiful part...


"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us."  - 1 John 4:18-19


When I am connected to Christ- when I am in the word, praying, and tuning my heart, mind and actions according to His will, and His way, I  feel secure.  I know I am loved by the King of kings, my Creator, and my Savior.  This security, this knowing, brings a joy that I cannot describe- it is a joy that is not dependent on circumstance.   When I am anchored this way, I am free to love without condition. I am free to love without fear of being hurt and rejected.  I am also free to combat our human tendency to act like I have it all figured out; like life can be organized neatly into pinterest boards and facebook posts.  It can't be. Life isn't quite so clean; it is messy.  It is full of broken people, relationships, and plans.  But it also full of unspeakable joy, wonderful friendships, and glorious blessings.


Social media has only perpetuated this problem.  Today alone I saw that my friends have made soup from scratch, knitted a newborn hat, won an award, finished building a dream house and much more.  But there is more to these stories.  There is more to what we post.  There is the finger that was burnt while making this soup, the orange juice that was spilled every where by the two year old while she sat to peacefully knit, and the years of work that went unrecognized before the award was granted.  I am guilty of this, I post pictures of my boys being best friends but omit the moments where my three year old is screaming in timeout from hitting his baby brother in the face.  These moments are important- perhaps even more so than the sweet ones.  These are the ones where your character is shown, prayers are pleaded, and lessons are learned. 


And so, lessons are being written on my soul now. Lessons of how I am loved, FIRST by Him. Lessons of vulnerability and a commitment to be authentic.  Lessons of knowing that no one has it together an the beauty in that.  We are anchored in Christ, imperfect in ourselves and this becomes beautiful when we accept, embrace and highlight where these two truths meet.  

[In the interest of remaining true to this post, I should note- I found this beautiful image of gorgeous leaves HERE. I was too busy pushing my toddler in a stroller, carrying my over-tired, crying baby, and sweating to get my camera out. The leaves where still beautiful and a good part of the walk was peaceful before chaos erupted again. :) ]

Life is Short; Eternity is Long

A little over a year ago, a friend and groom from one of my 2011 weddings passed away suddenly and tragically. He was 28. Last night, a 2013 grad that i photographed one year ago passed away in an accident.... and today, I read this: 

"Living knowing that your life is a vapor is different than just living. Things here are passing away. You've got to hold on to what will stand. Savor what matters. Life Is Short. Eternity Is Long. Live Like It."

I am reminded yet again of how short life is, how hard life can be and what a gift each breath is. It is a gift from God and one we should not take lightly or for granted. John Piper's quote above is a HUGE reminder...we need to live for the eternity, not our short, earthly lives. This means constantly reevaluating and reflecting upon where my treasure lies and Who my hope rests in.

Why Blog?

I've always been a writer. As far back as I can remember, writing was a passion of mine. I find clarity, peace and healing through writing.  To bare ones soul through the written word is a beautiful, if not scary, thing.  I've had several blogs through the years including my business blog for my photography website: (http://www.katewenzelphotography.blogspot.com), as well as a family one which hasn't been updated for years: (http://thewenzelfamily.blogspot.com).

But this one is a challenge to go deeper still.  Since having children, this love for writing in all forms has come secondary to caring for my family, my photography business and just the day to day life of a busy wife, mother, home and business owner.  And yet, every so often, I would write again- whether it was poetry or prose; I would release the thoughts buried within my heart and put them to paper.  Without exception, these isolated experiences in the last few years have been therapeutic and beautifully full of peace.  Sweet glimpses of His grace.

I can't promise to be consistent- but I can promise that when I do write, I will write with authenticity and record the sacred and love-drenched moments where I receive glimpses of His grace.  Oh, His grace. It is far too lovely to fully comprehend, let alone convey- but I want to try. I want to spend my life trying.  Living in these moments, deeply inhaling these morsels of the eternal.  Above all things, Christ- knowing Him and making Him known- is what I feel called to do.

Over the past few months, I found myself wanting a place to write.  But there are so many mom bloggers out there. So many eloquent women with creative minds and beautiful souls that offer so much to this world. I know that what I present here won't be groundbreaking.  I know that it may simply add to the inundation of social media in a society that screams to be heard and longs to share every insignificant event of every single day.  And yet, I realize that it is these insignificant moments, a profound story is often told. So as I delve into this world, I hope to become less narcissistic, as I share this journey and look for glimpses of His grace, I plead with my soul to look outwardly and upwardly.  This isn't a blog about me, but about a God graciously revealing Himself to me.