Amy Wenzel Workshop Giveaway: How do you love, serve, and inspire others?

When asked how I love, serve, and inspire others, I guess the reality is: I don't. You see, I'm not really all that loving, inspiring, or servant-hearted. But Jesus is and he lives his life through me. Let me show you what I mean.

When I asked God if he loved me, this is what I heard...

When I formed you, I took your eye and poured into it the purity and peace of a dove. I gathered together the sparkling topaz and the blue of the sea; I took a flex of fir mica, a rock that captures color. I took the black of the raven, a bird that watches and waits. I took these and held them in my hand and created your eye. Your eyelashes were made long and soft like the tail of a colt anew and fresh to the world. And to your eye I gave compassion and tears of love. Your eyes will see my people and ache for those who are broken and lost.

God is the one who loves, serves, and inspires; when I get out the way, he does it through me. That is my goal in life and as a photographer: “God, give me your eyes to see beauty, your heart to bring joy, your life to bring everywhere I go.”

Rather than try and tell you myself, I asked my friends and family , “How do I love, serve, and inspire others?”

My Dad

“[You do it by] seeing beauty that others pass by, by pursuing possibilities with seemingly little concern for the level of difficulty, and oh yeah your smile...

Jenna – best friend

“You are great at loving and serving others! I was just thinking today of how good you are at putting others first...Like, you are very in tune to the needs of others and always put their needs first without any mention of your own needs. And you are very encouraging. Like I am never wondering if you want to hang out or talk to me, you are great at making people feel special.”

Susan - good friend

“You love and serve for sure in your willingness to come to our house this summer while getting ready for you wedding to help with the babies. Your honesty in faith inspires me to behave similarly and well you simply radiate love and peace. Kind of that God overflowing into others lives thing.. Anyone who sits on a couch for 2 hours so a baby can suck on her finger and sleep is a loving servant if you ask me!”

Brittany – sister-in-law

“I would say definitely going out of your way to be there for those you care about by giving advice or phone call or getting together with them.”

My Mom

“You give life; whoever is around you becomes happy and sparkles and you make kids around you feel special, important like they are the only one who matters.”

Matt – husband

Hurt, and you'll see her comfort. Grieve, and you'll see her joy. Want, and you'll see her serve. Meet her, and you'll feel her love.

I believe that God is taking what little I have and giving me the ability to become a role model, a photographer that loves serves and inspires others. When I look at Amy Wenzel's blog I see children's faces that have been loved and I see a women that is a role model for me. This is why I want to walk by her side for a day or two.