Woman in the Mirror

“For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

It was a great weekend because we had our granddaughter Kherington over to spend the night. She will be twelve soon and is going into middle school in a few months. Like most young girls, her focus has somewhat shifted from dolls to lip gloss, and from coloring pictures to coloring strands of her hair with bright colors. Her heart is the very same but her looks are transforming into the characteristics of a pre-teen. Saturday night we were in my bathroom as she was setting out her essentials…cleanser, toner and moisturizer. She had just washed her face and brushed her hair and teeth and we were facing the mirror side by side. As I looked at her beautiful smooth skin, her large round brown eyes and her shiny thick hair my eyes drifted to my face in the mirror. It was almost shocking to see the difference between that 12-year-old and this soon-to-be 59-year old. My once-round large brown eyes now puffy and tired…my once-shiny thick hair more brittle and duller…my once smooth tight skin now boasting deep facial lines and sun-spot markings. When I laid in the bed that night, I considered a life that spanned our age difference and the challenges that contributed to the woman in the mirror. But then, God settled the Bible verse above in my mind and heart, and I was overcome with love and gratitude.

You see, the 12-year-old who looked back at me all those years ago, had no idea the life that was before her. She had no idea the mistakes and failures that she would have to think about years after they were experienced. She had no idea about divorce…prodigal children…marital complications. But the greatest mystery that she had yet to experience was bringing Jesus into her life at such a deep level that her reflection wouldn’t be defined by make-up and curlers. Her reflection would be defined by the love in her heart for Jesus that wouldn’t come until she was in her 40’s. 

When we align ourselves with the world’s fickle definition of beauty, we will always see ourselves from a standpoint of losses. But when we gain our value from God who sees our inside beauty our reflection is more Christ-like...nothing but gain. We no longer compare ourselves to people, but see ourselves in the transforming light of Christ. There is no greater beauty than the beauty that flows from a heart who carries the light of Jesus. I see that same beauty from so many of you on the other side of this screen. When we are walking in the spirit we are using the greatest anti-aging weapon on earth and in heaven.