Burr Oak Tree at Sunrise, Oka' Yanahli Preserve
Light is essential for life, both the outer light, as depicted in this picture, and the inner light of one’s heart and spirit. This book would not exist without both kinds of light.
When I was in my early forties my inner light was nearly extinguished. I was suffering severe depression. I had sustained a back injury that kept me bedridden for three months, and I was in pain, out of work, out of money, and seemingly without a future. Now, when I review my life, I realize that I had dealt with depression off and on most of my life up to that point, but it darkly and drastically deepened after I hurt my back, sucking out all light, warmth, energy, and spirit. While in bed to heal my back I spent many, many hours reading my Bible and praying. I prayed prayers of desperation to my Lord Jesus, and He revealed to me that I was to serve Him with my nature photography, and that He would sustain me and give my life purpose.
This is my fourth photography book since those revelations, and as He promised He has sustained me and given my life purpose. Nature, with all its varieties of outer light, has helped keep my inner light burning. I am driven to photograph it. This magnificent tree called to me from the moment I first saw it across the field and I knew that I was going to get magical light through it at sunrise.
I still struggle with depression. It will probably never leave me, but medical intervention, my photography, my family, and God unite to preserve, nurture, safeguard, and shelter me. If you battle with depression, I pray that my pictures, nature’s beauty, and this testimony will bring healing and inspiration to you. I also pray that you will find The Light of the World, Jesus Christ (John 8:12).
