Something was seriously wrong with this picture.  I had been looking through family photos and was reminded of a scary looking photograph taken a couple of years ago (and 4 grandchildren ago).  Our good friend and photographer, Vanessa, had a bit of fun in her workshop.  This is what happened:

“Twas the night before the Christmas picture and all through the house

No one was stirring, not even my spouse

The camera was charging on the counter with care

In hopes that the photographer soon would be there.

 

The families were in their homes all snug in their beds,

While visions of mischief…roamed through the photographer’s head

And nana in her Red Sox T-shirt and Papa in his Patriot’s cap

Had fallen asleep, for at least a short nap.

 

We arose the next morning to picture taking and fun chatter;

And the picture was snapped; but what was the matter?!

Confusion arose from the moment of the camera’s flash

So, I checked out its shutter…even checked through the trash

 

Something had happened with our picture…yes it’s true…oh no!

Our heads had been switched (as you can see below)

…Then what to my wondering eyes should appear…

But a miniature Wyndham and ten others held dear!

 

With a sly ol’ photographer…so sly and so quick

I knew in a moment…she must be quite sick!

More rapid than eagles, her mischief it came

And she photoshopped and chuckled, and called them by name.

 “Now KevJean and WynCa! Now EmLeigh, Now CaMel and JeanKris!

On SamKev, JakeGus! On, MelJake, GusWyn! On EmLeigh and KrisSam!

From the top of their heads for the short and the tall!

Now mix them up! Change them up! Mess them up all!!”……..

It’s a frightening sight to see these switched heads.  I was thinking how much scarier it is when we try to “photoshop” our head onto God’s.  I am quite sure of the scripture in Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
        neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.
    [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
        so are my ways higher than your ways
        and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Yet, how easy it is to try to make our thoughts God’s thoughts.  I’m grateful he does not hide his thinking from us, but gives us his word of grace and truth (through the scriptures and in the flesh through Jesus) to tell and show us so many of this thoughts. Amos 4:13

    He who forms the mountains,
        creates the wind,
        and reveals his thoughts to man,
    he who turns dawn to darkness,
        and treads the high places of the earth–
        the Lord God Almighty is his name.

At times it seems all too easy to try “switch heads” with God and tell him how to “be God”.  Perhaps that is why it seems easier for many to picture Jesus as a baby in a manger, where he is silent and “smaller than us”.  Yet God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, .. Eph. 1:22

While it is humorous to see our heads switched in a picture….it is sobering to realize how futile,dangerous, and ultimately arrogant it is to “try” to control God and His thoughts.  When I fail to humbly read his word, a subtle shift can happen where I attempt to put my thoughts and feelings onto God’s – instead of changing my thoughts and feelings to be like His.  One of my Bible heroes, Job, tried this line of reasoning – and then got “his head on straight”.   Job 40:2-5
  “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
        Let him who accuses God answer him!”

    [3] Then Job answered the Lord:

    [4] “I am unworthy–how can I reply to you?
        I put my hand over my mouth.
    [5] I spoke once, but I have no answer–
        twice, but I will say no more.”

May we all keep our heads on straight!