wide awake in a hotel room
4am on the East Coast and I'm still on West Coast time so I can't sleep.
Something Julie said to me last night before we went to bed is still
ringing in my head. It was something she has never said to me before
and it kinda felt weird hearing her say it. She said "You're big
time." She's always told me how proud she is of me but has never
straight up told me I am "big time" before. I have to admit that for
a second it gave me a big head, but I quickly realized that everything
we have accomplished in our business and in life has been 100% by the
awesome and undeserved grace of God. Although we have worked extremely
hard, I simply can't forget about the dozens of times God bailed us
out of sure financial disaster!
This is what i know: Life is fragile! I screw up often! The more I
live the more I realize that God is involved in every area of my life,
holding it together so it doesn't crumble beneath me.
My secret to success: Get right with God (often). Pray every night for
wisdom, blessings, forgiveness, safety, and to be used by Him.
Remember to thank Him for everything good in your life!
Thank you Lord for my beautiful wife and two boys. Thank you for
always taking care of us! Help me not to live in vain but to do your
work and share your love with others.
Ok goodnight all :) God bless!
***Sent from my iPhone***
posted by Mike Colón at 1:24 AM
56 Comments:
Amen.
Mike...
this is what I was talking with you about at the Missional Photography class. You've become an icon in our field, but - more importantly - you're a great example of how the bigger we get in the eyes of the world, the more important it is to stand back and say, 'Hey...it's all God." Thank you for your continued inspiration and encouragement.
-Eddie
Hey Mike, I'm wide awake too - only I'm on the west coast. :) Thanks for reminding me of your 'secret to success'. It's encouraging to see a big time guy like you sharing your faith unreservedly. I really regret missing your workshop on mission and photography! :)
Cindy
orangeturtleblog.com
Amen...
Mr. Mike Colon,
My wife and I really appreciate your blog. If you were a fish monger or farmer instead of a superb photographer, this post and the heart behind it is why we would still admire you greatly.
Thank you,
Micah Parsons
Amen! :-D It's awesome to hear some one as 'big time' as you talk that way. It's AWESOME! :-D Keep up the good work and God bless!
Mike,
i am always amazed at what time you can lay thinking about a short and succinct sermon. I have started to thank God for good things, I am still working on the bad things and those I do not understand.
I think you will be with a good friend of mine soon, i will pray for you both to have an awesome time and look after each other.
Missing that West Coast Weather,
T the Brit.
PS Julie is right, the wave you ride, you chose. The great thing is your energy steers and controls the wave. So cut some tubes and keep going.
Thanks for your example of humility Mike! You're definitely big time in the photog world, but your humility before God is what really makes you "big time" in my book.
God is amazing. I truly needed this post today.
Thanks.
Julie is the best unclemike you've been "big time" for a long time bro....goodtimes
Hey Mike! What words of encouragement! You're certainly a blessing to other believers in the industry and it's such a breath of fresh air to see "big time" people still humbly give glory to God.
Awesomeness!
Claudia
Thank you, Mike! I am now meditating on those powerful words that God lead me to read on a morning in which I awoke doubting His presence in my life. You ARE "big time," especially in realm of doing a mighty work for the kingdom. God Bless You!
A good word, Mike. Praise be to Him! Blessings to you and your family. -Brad :)
That is so true. God is control of everything and through his guidance we can handle anything! Thanks for the encourageent!
Mike, such a cool thing to think about and I am stoked that God is keeping you up to focus on Him. It's so cool that no matter how big time we get, we still are nothing in the light of who God is. Praise Him!
Best regards,
Bill
Julie is big time!
My friend, Kenny Kim introduced me to you. As I have been following your blog, I'm so impressed by your photography, but even more, I'm blessed by your testimony. If you are ever in Bangkok, Thailand, It'd be great to meet you.
well put Mike, the parenthesis:
Get right with God (often)
Amen Brother! Lots of love to the Colon Family. Enjoy your trip to the East Coast.
David
The word of God reminds us not to dispise the days of small beginnings. God is good all the time... and he sure has a way of putting things in perspective. :)
amen.
I would shrink with fear if I didn't have 'big time' photographers who remind us to not let fear take hold of us, to be creative and inspired and unlearn what the rest of the world is doing, to be the individual that God is making. God has been so good to all of us through you. (I love the new church of photographers that He has introduced me to, Dawn Davis, Kenny Kim, Mike Colon!) That is one thing I am always sure of, even through great tragedy and suffering, God is always good. Pamela!
What makes you Big Time in my book is that you're down right frank and don't mind wearing your heart on your sleeve. It's why we're all tuned in and hope and pray for the best for you and yours.
I really appreciate your heart Mike. And the grace God gives us to keep our heart for him.
Thanks for not only encouraging us in the industry but in keeping our faith ini the Lord first and far above our business.
looking forward to connecting with you again soon,
/ todd
Amen to that :)
Amen...
thanks for keeping it real.
You've blessed me so much. As a new photographer in the business, I've felt lost at times. If it were not for God, I would be totally desperate and searching but I keep Matthew 28:20 with me at all times. Thanks for your words and for being so ready to share.
God bless!
Thank you Mike for putting things into perspective for me.
I'd rather be a "Big Time" Family man now. My baby is six months old now, where does the time go?
I've been bailed out a time or two myself.
Amen Mike,
Sleep well -
Oh and how the heck can you type that much on a iPhone? Now there is a gift!
A good reminder to all of us - big time, small time, or any time in between.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mike in Miami this past March. Not only was I impressed with his work but it was more so the first words out of his mouth to start his seminar: "First thing you want to do when you start out to improve your business is prioritize your life and goals. For me that's put God first, family second and business third." By starting off this way he earned my attention and my respect for life. My first post here because I just loved this post.
God Bless Mike,
Ben
That's how you have never gotten a big head...you understand the bigger picture! Thanks for the great workshop last week!
beautifully said...HE is so good and faithful. I often get amazed myself at how HE just blesses...we are so undeserving, but HE is sooo gracious.
I love how honest you are about this revelation. It shows how truly deserving you are of the title "big time". That's why God has blessed you so much...your modesty speaks volumes about your character!! Have fun in our time zone!!
~Courtney
Dude, look at all the comments you get when you actually blog! :) Miss you Mike. I thought about you guys all this week since I couldn't be there for the workshop. Good times!
See you in August. Thanks for this great post. Just rememeber, behind every great man, there's a greater woman supporting him. :)
What a great post Mike! Have a safe trip and lots of love to the family!
Hey Mike, thanks for being willing to put yourself out their and be real.
Amen to Mike AND to Kenny! :)
Wow! Thank you so much for all of your kind words and encouragement! Because of you, Julie told me I was big time again today! haha :) Much love to all!
Big Time = Good Times! :)
I love it! Amen
Hey Mike - I think the number of comments you have received affirms Julie's sentiments! Above all, I think people respect you for your willingness to share both professionally and personally despite the praise and/or persecution you may receive. In short, thanks for being yourself and keeping it real.
P.S. Say hi to Ray for me and enjoy the rest of the shoot in NY.
- Jason
WOW! Deep thoughts by Mike Colon! Julie, you and your precious boys are a wonderful family. We got to see that when we visited back when Matt did your wrokshop, it was so nice of you to open your home to us and let us see your boys. What an amazing special family the 4 of you are. My God continue to bless you all. Keep up the great work Mike. You r BIG TIME!! But stay "down to earth" about it. HA! LOL
CIAO!
Mike:
Was catching up on my back reading (Rangerfinder) and read comments about your work. Went to your website to chat to you about coming to speak to the pro photogs in Miami. By chance I clicked on your blog and got "blessed".
In these times when Americans are "panicking" you hit the nail on the head. Thank GOD there is a GOD!. A friend at church gave me this little quip today: God reads "Knee-mail". As professional Christian photographers we know where I success come from and should never be ashamed to proclaim. Blessing to your family.
So true. So true. I have to constantly remind myself this too. Thanks for the reaffirmation.
What a great post. I have such a heart for photography and love to see those who have gone before me give the glory and honer to Jesus. God is so good to his kids!
Hope you get some sleep.
Julie
www.homeschoolblogger.com/julistew
Amen Brother, you are Big Time cause God is Big Time. I am so thankful He is using you for His glory! I thank God daily for allowing me to participate in the gift of photography. I am humbled to be used by him as well in peoples lives. I feel honored that we can participate in something so precious in peoples lives!
dude, keep on keeping it real & in focus. Aren't wives wonderful? (That's kudos to you Julie! :) As said before, you guys have been such a blessing to not only myself, but my family also, in more ways than you know. Thanks bro. Can't wait to see ya again soon.
P.S. Great to see a post! :) Use that iphone more baby!
Thank you for being an inspiration Mike. =)
Awesome. Thanks for be so transparent in your faith and business. God has used you to touch so many of us. What a blessing you have been to all of us.
Not only do you rock at photography, BUT you seem to always say the right words about wisdom. THANK YOU for writing this. Totally made me stop & thank GOD!!!!!!
Mike,
Thank you , thank you for being real not only in the eyes of God but when the world is looking @ you as well. You are a true inspiration to myself - trying to lift my business off the ground these words really helped me to refocus. That our plans are not sovereign, GOD is. He expects to do His will for today, and he will entrust us with something a bit bigger tomorrow. Thanks once again- May God continue to bless you & your family- David Rodriguez
Jaz-Mar Photography
It's always so amazing to me what happens when we have time to stop and think for a few seconds, ecspecially with busy schedules, and kids etc. But, what you said is so true. God has been showing me a lot lately about Praising Him for his faithfulness. We are all sooo blessed and it's good to be reminded that He is the reason for that. Keep it up Mike, God is very obviously using you in the midst of this profession.
P.S. I always knew you would be "Big Time" :)
Mike thanks for being so open! I know sometimes it seems like our success comes from our own sweat.
But you're right, without God's favor and blessing, it will all be in vain.
Thanks..
-David
Axioo Photography
INDONESIA
This is my first time reading your blog, and can I just say that this is exactly what I have been needing to hear these past six months? In a way the timing is almost too perfect, but I have a smirk on my face because I know that God had led me to this blog post at this time for a reason. Thank you for letting God use you to do what you do best. I hope you don't mind, but I am going to post on my blog tonight regarding this and refer to your blog. God bless you, Mike.
Respect.
That's awesome of you, Mike.
Thanks for sharing.
Be sure our friend Gary Fong hears this story, I'm sure he will want to blog about it ;)
-steve
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