The Big Picture
written by: Julia Weaver
I am Julia Weaver. I am on a crazy journey with Jesus. This journey has been filled with many adventures with mountains and valleys, tears and laughs, pain and healing. My personal journey began when I was 11 years old at a youth program in my church. Though I grew up in a Christian home, it wasn’t until I started middle school when I started to fully believe in who Jesus really was and what he did for us on the cross. I truly believe that it’s all a part of God’s “big picture” that I started to have faith in Him at such an early age… I was going to need His love more than ever 5 years later.
Life was a roller coaster only going up, my friend. (I know… The Fault in Our Stars reference… Smooth Julia). The end of sophomore year was a dream; I just started my senior portrait photography business, I was elected as class Vice President for the next year, and I made varsity cheerleading for the next football season. I never fully realized how great my life was until the day after Mother’s Day, 2015. My mother is my best friend, and words can’t describe how grateful I am for her; she deserves the best. This Mother’s Day wasn’t the average go-to-church-then-have-so-much-fun-then-eat-a-nice-dinner Sunday. I mean, sure, we did learn a lot at church from our amazing pastor, we ate a nice dinner, but there was something heavy on our minds. My big brother Brett hadn’t been seen for a few weeks. He usually called us every cheesy holiday (if he wasn’t home), but this time, Brett didn’t call my mom to wish her a special day. I come from a blended family with 7 half-siblings (I’m the youngest, only kid living currently at home), and he was the missing piece.
The day after Mother’s Day, it was the average morning. I got ready for school and headed out the door to my ride. On our way to school, we passed two cop cars. I got so confused, but I brushed it off and went on with my day. Little did I know, those cop cars were headed to MY house. I got home from school very confused; My parents were crying, and I’ve never even seen my dad cry before. My mom quietly said, “Julia, your brother Brett is in a better place.” This was the lowest point in my life.
It’s now been 10 months since I found out my big brother, Brett, was found deceased. I still have flashbacks from when I spoke at his funeral and saying my last goodbye. Through my grieving, Christ has been by my side, ALWAYS. I pulled out my Bible every single day, determined to stay strong in my faith. One verse that my Pastor read to me, a piece of scripture very close to my heart is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6. In these situations, we cannot sit and try to figure it all out ourselves. It is impossible. Leaning on God in the midst of chaos is how we grow in Him and then His plan for us can start to unravel. He has opened up so many amazing opportunities for me; I’ve been blessed with some incredible new friends and He has led me to pursue my passion of portrait photography into a business.
God has used my dark situation to grow spiritually. I’ve never been so confident and deep in my faith in Christ. He is working through me to make girls confident and strong as I take their portraits. I feel called to spread God’s love through my business, and He’s leading me to places I could’ve never imagined otherwise. It seems to be that in our darkest times, we thirst for God’s love the most, but what we need to remember is that God’s love is ALWAYS there, you just need to fully depend on Him.
If you want to check out Julia’s beautiful work, head over to www.juliaweaverphotography.com ! :)
