It's hard to articulate precisely what photography and videography has meant to me throughout the years.

If you asked me when I was 9, I would say I wanted to dress up crazy with my friends for the sole purpose of taking pictures. Naturally some would end up on MySpace.  

If you asked me when I was 16, I would say I wanted to showcase how "fun" and "aesthetic" my life was on Instagram (because I was just so cool, right?) The purpose was the story the image told.

Today, though, I treasure every photo and video as a way to store up the goodness of these fleeting moments in my heart — little glimpses of God's gifts to me. The purpose is to give thanks to the Lord and remember His goodness.

I think about the day I’ll pass these memories down to my sons and their families, and how wonderful it will be to rejoice with them over this precious life the Lord has blessed us with. They are my heritage, and these are snapshots of the legacy I am leaving.

I don't take the photos and videos just for fun, or to be cool and aesthetic, and while those may very well be good things, they are not the good thing. The good thing is the Lord, and remembering that these moments I document are good gifts from Him. I pray this truth resonates with you and stirs your affection for Him.