“Both within the family and without, our sisters hold up our mirrors, our images of who we are and of who we can dare to become.”

~ Elizabeth Fishel

Thanks for being this for me. (Love, Karen)

Oh my….I got this quote and statement today from a dear friend of many, many years.  Just yesterday (and she did not know this) I was looking in the mirror struggling.  Not so much with the wrinkles, the aging, the imperfections (by worldly standards) but by memory standards.  That’s not really a standard, but I thought if I could change my facial features would it change my memories?  If I looked different would my soul be different?  I hope you don’t judge me for being honest.  Stop and think of times you’ve desperately wanted change so much you would try worldly pursuits – a new diet, a trip, a new job, a hobby. Your face is the front page of your life story.  It’s what people see, judge you by, see you, watch you and your expressions and communicate with you based on these things.

Teenagers spend an incredible amount of time making sure their face is perfect, fixed, made up to present themselves to the world and beg for acceptance.  How many times does your teenager ask – “Does this look okay?”  “Am I pretty?”  Plastic surgery is a billion dollar business, and most people who delve into plastic surgery are never satisfied – they keep going back because what really needs fixing is their soul, their thought world.

Karen, unknowingly, spoke to my ache.  Like many quotes each one of us interpret them differently.  This is what spoke to me.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Does my “face” – my essence or mirror that I’m holding up for her say – “I believe in you, and I think you are awesome!” I hope so!   And, for my soul, it reminded me of “who I am” as I  face the world.  The mirror that she holds up for me – which is encouraging and loving.

What does Jesus say about mirrors?  As good as friends and family can be, mirrors can break and shatter in those relationships.  They are not always good reflections.  Damaging words and hurtful actions, can shatter, hurt, and cut deep, possibly leaving scars.

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. I Corinthians 13:12

Oh how I see things imperfectly and I am puzzled.  I can trust that in my confusion GOD NOW KNOWS ME COMPLETELY, and my day will come when I will have clarity and know everything completely in heaven.  Sweet heaven. Don’t you feel such comfort that God gets you – He knows you…..COMPLETELY!  HE LOVES YOU COMPLETELY AND PERFECTLY!

When you are surrounded by loved ones and friends what mirror are you holding up for them?  What images are being betrayed? The words of grace, love, encouragement?  When you look into the mirror when you are all alone, what do you see?  I pray you see a miracle, a beautiful soul, a child of God.

In some aspects, we should never allow anyone but JESUS to be the holder of our mirrors! He alone – His is worthy, faithful, true….