That’s me.

My daughter snapped the picture when we were being silly.

It was one of those carefree, fun, memory-making days. I didn’t care about the wrinkles around my eyes, the gray in my hair, or the few pounds I might have put on.

But, later, when I sat looking at that picture, I zoomed in and began evaluating myself on a bunch of ridiculous, external things I would never want my daughter to evaluate herself on.

So, why on earth, would I?

It is so easy to fall into old habits and choke on old insecurities – even now at fifty-two!

I just wonder if my sixty, seventy, and eighty-year-old friends find themselves still distracted by things that don’t really matter? How about my younger friends? Do you, too?

I want to remember I am free from all of that. I don’t want to be distracted or discouraged by temporary things, even for one minute.

Truly, deep down, when others describe us, do we really want to be defined by an appearance that is nothing but fleeting, a body that is dying, and the stuff we temporarily have?

No! I want to be known for those same beautiful, eternal things I want my kids to be known for—the truly important things a picture can never tell.

I want others to see Jesus in me.

I want them to see how He rescued me and brings me real joy; and only because He lives in me, has He caused me to love others in a way I never could love without Him.

Oh friend, when others describe us, how long does it take before they get to the part that, “she loves Jesus”?

Do they ever?

Or, are we only defined by temporary things that will never, ever last into eternity–our looks, our houses, our careers, our kid’s successes, or the thousand other fleeting things, that distract us from being who God really made us to be?

How worthless it is to zoom in on a picture and never ask God to zoom in on our hearts!

His mirror is kind and always for our good.

The truth is, the mirror the world holds up to our faces will never make us feel pretty enough or good enough because the enemy has had his ugly hand in crafting that impossible, never-enough standard. (Read that again because it is true! Especially my younger friends! Don’t take as long to know this as I did!)

But… when we catch ourselves, when we take those thoughts captive and turn our mirrors to the Savior, when we focus on reflecting Him in our lives, there is such incredible lasting beauty…. and peace, and hope, and real joy!

And others see Him in us! They want what we have in the good way!

“For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ Jesus has accomplished through me…”Romans 15:18 (first part)

“Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” Romans 15:21

And when our identity is in Him… THERE IS NOTHING MORE BEAUTIFUL!

glorytoJesus

For those of you who study with me, I’ve been praying and think I know which book I’m headed to next. I appreciate your prayers for confirmation.

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