REFLECTION

What do you see when you look into the mirror? Is your primary focus on the outer shell you reside in or do you see the inner person that resides in that shell? Thinking back to my younger years, all I saw was a frighten worried young woman constantly staring back at me. One that live to second guess every word and everything that was transpiring in my life at the time. Often confused about life and always wondering if things would get better. I allowed the opinion of others to resonate very loudly in my head quite often. Afraid to live life, in fear of making mistakes, disappointing others, and making a calamity out of my life. There’s a part of me that wish I would have had more courage not to care about the opinion of others. But there is a greater part of me that is very grateful for that fear. It kept me from some unnecessary heartaches.

As afraid and uncertain as I was throughout my childhood and young adult years. The one thing I always knew is that the girl that was staring back at me in the mirror was the only person I was for certain would be with me for life. Literally. No matter what happened in life or relationships whether it was with family or friends, the one person I would always have to contend with was myself. Therefore, I tried to make choices that “I” could live with. At a very young age, I understood the power of “choices”. All choices lead to results, whether it be good or bad. Unfortunately, I had to also learn that every choice you make (even when you feel you made the right choice) doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will. Therefore, you have to decide whether or not you can live with the result of that choice. God made us creatures of choice. God doesn’t make us live for him, that is something we have to choose. As a matter of fact, we have to choose to trust him as well. My favorite scripture is Hebrews 11:6; But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. The one thing I had right even as a child was my trust and confidence in who I knew God to be. I may not have had confidence in myself and where I was going to end up, but I did have the confidence and knowledge to know that if I stayed with God, it couldn’t end too badly.

The older I got, the easier it was to recognize God’s voice. Although my faith and confidence grew, it wasn’t void of challenges along the way. Life doesn’t stop coming for you just because you get older and wisdom doesn’t always come with age. You have to ask for wisdom. There’s a saying that the “old fool” was once a “young fool”. Which goes to show you that life continues to send us pop quizzes, test, and major exams throughout our lifetimes. If you continue to be unprepared when these things come your way, you will continue to fail regardless of your age. The only true preparation one can have, is a Christ centered life to pass each test life brings our way. We ought to see more of Christ in our reflection as we encounter each test. How do we do this? This is how….

One of the most powerful things we can do is to see ourselves the way that Christ sees us. In our completed state. You see he knows the beginning through the end. In my early years I couldn’t fathom where I would end up. Christ did! He knew! He knew that he had great plans for my life. He knew that it would come with heartache, but he also knew I would survive it. He knew I would make mistakes time and time again, but he loved me through it all. He kept whispering in my ear like a good Father. You can do it! You can make it! He spoke those words to me directly some days through my thoughts, prayers, and his word. Then there were days he sent his angels my way through family, friends, church, and ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ to remind me of who He was. All these people and all these things allowed me to begin to see more of him in my reflection and less and less of me and the life I imagined for myself. Instead, I begin to see more of who he intended for me to be. The life he designed specifically for me. Full of purpose. I just had to keep going until I found it!!

If I had a do over to speak to the young girl in the mirror, I would tell her that every thing will work out like it should if you continue to trust God in the process. I think we have given ourselves and others a false perception in what a heart that is waiting on God looks like. Sometimes a heart waiting on God is one that makes mistakes and gets back up and repent of those mistakes and continues his/her wait. Sometimes a heart waiting on God is one that has tearful days and sleepless nights. Sometimes a heart waiting on God looks discouraged. I’ve learned that I see God’s reflection in myself the most when I am vulnerable to him. Not when I feel I’ve done everything right. In actuality when I’m at my lowest. The scripture said – for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9

You know what I see now when I look at my reflection, I see a caterpillar that has blossomed into a beautiful butterfly. I’m not speaking of outward beauty. But an inner beauty that God is continuing to mold me into. It came with great struggle and uncertainty. Yes, I still make mistakes. Yes, I’m still working on me. The difference today is that the girl staring back at me in the mirror NOW, is the WOMAN that believes with GREAT CERTAINTY that there is “NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE WITH THE GOD SHE SERVES”. How did I get here? One day at a time. Those days turned into weeks, those weeks into months, those months into years. Here I am; still standing on his word, and still standing after all the curve balls life threw me. A few hit me and knock me down, but I got back up by the grace of God. What it taught me, is that It takes the power of God to navigate through this life. The more your reflection, reflects Christ, the better you look to the world but most importantly to yourself. I realize Christ has called us to be the light of the world. But you have to light up your own house and allow that light to flow from you to others. Keep oil in your lamp.

It’s my prayer that every person reading this blog that has not yet experienced the manifestation of God's transforming power will be encouraged to wait on Christ until you see what "HE" sees in you. To all others that have, I pray you stay with God and allow his reflection in you to be the light to this dark world. As you meditate on God’s word perhaps over a cup of tea, take some time to remember the things God has already brought you through and trust him to lead you forward.

Until next time….. Be good to yourselves