As a parent I enjoyed observing my children at play; laughing and giggling as children do with complete abandonment. I loved catching the sparkle in their eyes and faces as they anticipated some surprise I hinted at. I’ve also gazed upon them many times, while they slept contentedly and free from care; completely still and unaware of my watchful eyes, yet wholly at rest because of love.
How perplexing, seeing them grow away from such fearless confidence, into the “awkward years” of life. One look in the mirror can bring such uncertainty, even dread, for a teenager trying to fit in and find acceptance. In most ways that reflection speaks of imperfection; sometimes true, often imaginary. It’s the misconception of that image that can cause our precious children to crash under the weight of trying to reach a stressful, even impossibly imaginary, goal.
Our Heavenly Father watches us as well. He delights in us. He so desires for each of us to understand who we really are. First, to see the great value He has placed on us and secondly, to begin to love ourselves as He does.
What mirror do you use to size up yourself and others with? What do you see? Is your identity in the naturally, detested frailty and personal failure that seem to paint your everyday life?
O, the awkwardness, and pain that comes when these are reflected in the mirror of our mind. Doesn’t it disable us in our capacity to love ourselves? Then wouldn’t it follow that we’d have a distorted ability to freely love others? I must take up the mirror of God’s unfailing and steadfast love that reflects the truth through His unchanging Word. If I do not let His Word through His loving-kindness define my self-worth, and my value, then I cannot love myself. I will also sadly remain unable to truly love others.
Let it rest upon His Word, that is forever true
No clearer mirror will you find, to know His love for you.
Let that fill your needy heart, as you live out each day
You’ll find a song inside you, to help along the way.