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My 20th birthday was an awful day but I am thankful for the lessons learned on that birthday.
I remember it well. I was sick and miserable and alone on my birthday ( I am not looking for pity, just setting up background ). And when that day of birth came around, my Facebook wall was filled with close friends and not so close friends wishing me a happy day. It was nice but there was a trend I noticed that stuck out to me. Now remember I was sick and tired which makes me over emotional. So that is why I over reacted and got upset about this. The majority of facebook friends left a message saying ” Happy Birthday Sabrina! You are such a great photographer!” My immediate reaction was, “Of all the things to say about a person, they just think I am a good photographer? ” (remember I was emotional; don’t judge haha) ” Gosh, I must be a lousy person because all they can say about me is something that I do and not about who I am.”
In the end, I can say it was a good thing that I got upset over something so little. It really makes me think about what I want to be known for in life and what I want to leave behind. I go back to my 20th birthday and how I felt and it inspires me and challenges me. When people think about Sabrina Nohling what do they think? I don’t think this is selfish to consider. I think it is a good heart check because how I act and what I am known for is a reflection of my heart.
I want to be known for something more than just a photographer.
I want to be known for having a life devoted to glorifying the Lord.
I want to make Christ known through me.
I want to be known for having a heart that if full of joy and love and a life that overflows with service to those around me.
I desire to be known for my inward beauty. For my heart that made alive by Jesus and eyes and smile would burn bright.
I want people to think and to love on the elderly when they think of me. That is my passion and I want to challenge people to notice them.
I want to be known as the woman who doesn’t have anything bad to say about anyone.
I want to be known as the woman who knows my photography gift and uses it to bless others.
That is what I want to be known for. And I am not there yet but it gives me something to aspire to and these are things I pray that the Lord will work in me!
My 20th birthday challenged me to live a life more full and to have my actions show it. I hope this challenges you as well and you start to ask what you want to be known for. Then go live it out!
Joshua Brandon Ehlers - This is one of the best blogs I have read in a while. I am mucho encouraged by you sabrina. You DEFINITELY have your heart head in the right direction. What you said is exactly what the Scripture says in Galatians 5:13, “For your were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Esther Louise - BEAUTIFUL! You are such a WONDERFUL AND GODLY PERSON! God is going to use you in such powerful ways! Bless you so much! You are such an inspiration. God is going to do some many miracles through you. AH! What an amazing vessel you have made yourself to be! BLESS YOU!
Sabrina Marie Nohling - Glad you are encouraged by it Josh! The Lord has been changing my heart and I wanted to share it!
Sabrina Marie Nohling - You are so wonderful thank you !!!! You and such a beautiful and Godly person yourself !!
Joshua Boyd - 100% awesome. It’s a good check to do daily! Thanks for this reminder. We’ll build up reputations for many things in our life, but none of them are as important as the reputation we build on how we represented Christ. Please keep spreading what God is teaching you!
Zipporah Kapambwe - Love this post and definitely understand what you mean! But I also hope that you embrace the compliments. I definitely truly believe that a picture is more that just that. When I look at your images and see pictures of an elderly person. I may click like and say that you take beautiful pictures. But it’s not necessarily because of just the picture. I like the picture because I can see the heart of the person taking it. It shows a piece of who you are. A person who has a heart for the elderly or actually people in general. Just want to encourage you and let you know that your heart does shine through in your images and even though that may not be said when someone compliments your pictures, I truly believe that’s what it means
Sabrina Marie Nohling - @[553962095:2048:Zipporah Kapambwe] oh I def agree with you!!! I was just using that story to show how it got me thinking!! when I am in a normal not sick emotional mode I can see that there is nothing wrong with people complimenting me and saying that!! But I love what you said that the picture is beautiful because of the heart taking it <3