A Beautiful Reflection

                                 
     The Lord was birthing the words for this blog in my heart when I happened to see a Good Morning America clip about a “magic mirror” and a female band out of Austin, Texas called The Mrs. My curiosity was piqued. I mean what woman isn’t intrigued by the thought of a “magic mirror” that would speak positively about her reflection? As I watched the episode unfold, I was brought to tears as the magical mirror spoke positive, uplifting words of encouragement over each beautiful woman who dared to stop for a glance. (Watch here: www.themrs.com)
The Mrs. have stepped out with an innovative idea and a sure fire new hit, “I’m Enough,” challenging women in all walks of life to “kill that noise” of criticism that reigns unrelentingly when face-to-face with our reflection.
     We have bought the demoralizing lies far too long, friends, and the consequences are devastating. Anorexia, bulimia, self-mutilation, plastic surgery (to which I’ve succumbed), and measuring our self-worth by the number on a scale instead of the nail scarred hands of Christ. Each one of us is loved far more than we’ll ever know by a Savior that died for us (Romans 5:8). Prince Charming is a fictional character who sweeps the flawless princess off her feet, but Jesus Christ is the King of Kings whose blood bought our ransom and whose everlasting love for us is the embodiment of perfection.
     Several years ago I was chastising myself before the merciless mirror picking out each “flaw” my eyes deceivingly embraced. I was focused on the crinkles around my eyes, lines forming around my mouth, the too much wiggle in the tummy, and extra jiggle on my thighs when suddenly I sensed the sadness of my heavenly Father, my creator. Here his creation stood picking apart his work of art. He impressed upon my heart the truth of my criticism which was simply my agreement with the enemy. You see, Satan loves to distort the works of God and his desire is to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10) the abundant life Christ desires for us. When God created man in His image he looked at his creation and called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). So when did we stop believing God’s word about our image which was created like him? We are a beautiful reflection of our amazing Creator, yet we have swallowed the lies of the evil one, aligning our thoughts with his, ashamed to look in the mirror or step on a scale. The last time I checked the words fear, overweight, underweight, and ugliness were not descriptions the Lord used to describe is daughters.
     Our true identity lies in Christ and he is enough. When we gaze in the mirror, we reflect the flawless beauty of chosen women who are redeemed from sin by blood spilled just for us. We have been adopted by a perfect Father who smiles at our appearance and shouts over our critical inner voice, “You are blessed, chosen, holy, blameless, loved, adopted, redeemed, and forgiven. You are mine” (Ephesians 1:3-5, Isaiah 43:1). Today when you step in front of the mirror, don’t be afraid of the image you see, embrace it as the person God created you to be. You are a beautiful reflection which represents the hand of God in a unique, inspiring, and beautiful design. 

Holy Ground

                                                 

          As I wrap up my quiet time and take the last few sips of my now cold pumpkin spice coffee; I reflect on my life recalling fond memories of my wedding day, births of my children, the numerous cities and homes I’ve lived as an Army wife, and all that my present life entails. God willing, I will reach a milestone in my life tomorrow…the big 4 0.  I certainly cannot boast of vast achievements, prestigious college degrees, world travels, or fame. I describe my life as a glorious mess of marital bliss and ugliness combined with parental successes and failures. I’m continuing to stumble through my homeschool calling year after year relying on God’s faithfulness that my inadequacies aren’t failing my children, while silently praying for spiritual growth through countless humbling experiences. I have perpetual piles of laundry, and a home that continually needs cleaning. Yet, our home boasts of moments of laughter, arguing, (inevitable?) pre-teen eye rolling, crying, forgiving and love. I half-heartedly admit to a love/hate relationship with my scale, I barely find time to squeeze in a workout (so I keep my fingers crossed I don’t find myself “squeezing” into my jeans!) I’ll admit I have an insatiable sweet tooth and my favorite junk food is Cheetos. Every four weeks I walk through the doors of the “beauty” parlor so as not to submit to gray hair; however, I’ve come to embrace my “laugh lines” which reveal a lifetime of joyful amusement! I am a die-hard Cowboys fan (which simply goes against the masses living in Houston), but I also have Kansas City blood which runs blue for the Royals, my childhood baseball team. I’m not the least bit creative or artsy like my mom, and my best rendition of drawing consists of stick figures.  I don’t have a crafty bone in my body, but being a homeschool mom, I suffer from “mommy guilt” (over many things and this is just one) which says I should attempt to offer craft time for my kids. Consequently, I only survive because of Pinterest, and yet my crafts never seem to turn out like the picture…sigh. I hate ironing and I’d much prefer going “slightly wrinkled” than waste precious time pulling out the ironing board. I can’t sew to save my life-sorry kids about all the AWANA patches that were super glued to your vests!  I have always been a bookworm, which was especially evident the year I gave my brother a book for Christmas and read it before he did! I love individual date nights with my kids, and I cherish long talks and alone time with my husband, the Colonel. Is any of this glamorous? Not at all. Significant? Yes. This is the life God ordained for me before time began (Eph 2:10). What I see as mundane and extremely ordinary, God sees as holy. When Moses encountered his burning bush experience, God said, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Ex 3:5).

          As a wife and mother in the thick of marriage, sibling arguments, math problems which threaten my sanity, parental illness that renders my heart shattered, my Father decrees it all holy ground. Although most days my life is simply very commonplace, it’s also full of enriching experiences which God designed specifically for me so that I would inevitably become more like his Son. With every meal prepared, boo boo repaired, argument refereed, tears cried, patience tested, errand ran, math problem solved, science experiment flopped, stick figure drawn, prayers prayed, Bible lesson taught, and innumerable hugs given, every single moment of my life was perfectly designed by a perfect Savior for his glory and my sanctification. Honestly, turning 40 isn’t earth shattering as some make it out to be. For me, it’s simply a time of reflection and thanksgiving. In God’s sovereignty, I’m right where he wants me to be, living the life he created which is fully dependent on Him.