Mirror Mirror on the wall

I hate mirrors. When I pass one I do everything in my power not to look at myself or even to catch my reflection. I reluctantly look at my reflection once a day upon leaving my  house to check and  make sure that I don't scare anyone. On the rare occasions that I do catch my reflection or have to spend time in front of the mirror I cringe.

Even though I don't like mirrors I do recognize their importance. If we don't check our reflection from time to time we could leave the house in a terrible state with broccoli in our teeth or our clothing askew. The mirror helps us to check on our outward appearance and to make sure we look okay.

For our physical inside appearance we have mirrors of sorts in ultrasounds and X-ray machines.  This  equipment allows us to get an inward reflection and helps us to make sure we look okay on the inside.

Mirrors, or various reflection equipment offer practical ways to look at ourselves and make sure we are okay. Where it gets tricky is when we need to check our spiritual insides. Spiritual stuff is a little harder to  look at . You can't necessarily see it in the mirror - it's not like we have a gigantic halo swirling above our heads that measures our goodness or a spiritual body within that can be detected and examined by X-ray machines. How do we then measure if we are spiritually okay?

We have to be a little more creative with our reflection - it's not as concrete as a mirror. A spiritual check up requires reflection of a different sort. It requires us to use a figurative mirror to reflect back on our day, our actions, our language, our choices, our friendships and our feelings. Sometimes  I cringe when I have to check on it. Like with my aversion to mirrors I sometimes turn my head when faced with that figurative mirror.

What I do realize is that in order to truly transform I MUST face those reflections no matter how uncomfortable I am or how disappointed with my short comings I might be. Cringing and turning away will not move me to transformation. Instead I will just sit in denial or ignorance preferring to remain as I am. I close myself  off to the wonderful experience of actually watching the transformation. I cheat myself of the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of transformation because I never checked where I was before so I can celebrate how much I've changed.

God can do miracles in our lives and can change our spiritual insides with or without our help. His view of us in the mirror is very different than ours.  When we take the time to examine ourselves we can then partner with God and be aligned with the transformation He has in store for us - it is then that we do not turn away but notice full on how awesome our God is.

Are YOU looking at ME?

K Weaver

 

 

I’m sitting here all by myself

As happy as can be

I notice that there seems to be

Someone looking at me…

 

Hey! Are you looking at me?

I quickly ask, just to be clear

And they continue staring straight

As if they CAN NOT HEAR!

 

HEY YOU! HEY YOU! I begin to shout

Are YOU looking at ME?

Still no answer is given

I’m getting REALLY angry!!!

 

HEY! ARE-YOU-LOOKING-AT-ME???!!!

My blood is boiling hot!!

Still silence is returned to me

I’M FREAKING OUT! A LOT!

 

HEY! YOU! YA YOU! HEY!

Can’t you stop or look in another direction?

 

HEY YOU! HEY YOU! Hey…wait a minute…

It’s only my reflection!

Footprints of the heart

A friend shared a picture on Facebook yesterday, the picture had a trail of rocks made to look like footprints with a quote from EleanorRoosevelt neatly typed below the picture reading  "many people walk in and out of your life, but a true friend will leave their footprint on your heart" it got me thinking ..Technically it's not just good friends who leave their footprint on our hearts. It's pretty much everyone we encounter!

There could be "well-doers" who believe that the "truth" they speak is for the betterment of your character. It is true that truth will build character but only when delivered correctly. These folks are harsh and blunt. Their timing is off and their "help" actually causes damage to the heart . They leave a footprint that looks more like a skid mark, a scraping of the first layer of ground  caused by the motion of a swift kick.

Other times it's people who I'd call " know it alls" they speak as if they are the utmost experienced in every situation. The ones who have all the "answers" and whose option is the only valid one in the room. They leave a footprint more like a dent; the kind you get when your car door randomly swings open with such force and collides squarely with the side of someone else's car!

Yet again, it may be people who speak gossip and lies at you, let's call them "better than everyones" these folks leave dark scuff marks all over the heart. Black marks that do not easily wash away, like bruises to the heart, their lies are distasteful, hurtful and shameful.

I suppose I could go on and on but I hope you see my point in these few examples. These people all exist, they aren't that uncommon. In fact we encounter them everyday and sometimes we find them in our very own bathroom mirror staring right at us!

I do not advocate for the fact that we can't be truthful and honest or even provide some strong advice or impart our wisdom on someone. It doesn't mean that we should not try to be helpful or kind to others, it's just that sometimes we work in extremes, going to the severe side of each scenario. It is there in the extremes that we create the damaging markings and imprints on the heart.

All encounters with people are impactful, they each leave some kind of marking on our hearts. Some are harsh and leave brutal markings, but the good ones are like gentle barefoot steps on a warm, soft beach.  Be mindful of where you tread, Our spiritual footprint is powerful ..

Walk with purpose, walk with intent- for the heart is delicate and easy to dent.
Walk with passion, walk with delight - for the heart in darkness is in need of light.
Walk with truth, walk with care - for the heart captures lies and can't fight despair.
Walk in silence , walk with boldness - for the heart needs company and shelter from coldness.
Walk in front, walk behind- for the heart needs leadership or a push of some kind.
Walk together, never walk alone- for the heart needs others for love to be shone.
Kw13