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Self-Reflection

My oldest daughter loves to look at herself in the mirror, or any reflection for that matter. She'll be having a conversation with her dad, but the whole time she's watching herself talk in the reflection on the widow-pane. We tease her about this natural (although a bit narcissistic) trait. All of us are prone to it, right? We walk by a mirror and we do a quick check.

What do we say to ourselves at that moment - when we are looking deep into our own eyes in the mirror? Do we say, "You look maahvelous, dahling?" Or, "Woah, chickie, you better lay off the chocolate ice cream for a while?" (And, on a total tanget, I have been doing that and I've lost 5 pounds. Woo-hoo!)

Jennifer Rothschild asks us to think about the top five thoughts we have about ourselves. What are yours? Mine seem to fluctuate. During some seasons, I think I'm clumsy, forgetful and dippy. In other seasons, I think I could rule the world. Well, maybe not the world, but a High school or a blooming ministry, or something like that. I see that my behaviors are distinctly different depending upon my inner thought life. When I feel like I am on top of the world and I believe that I have something to offer, I act like it. When I think I'm totally useless, I act like it. (Which, by the way, is a pretty pathetic sight!)

So, what names do we call ourselves when we look at that person on the other side of the mirror? I remember telling my little sisters that we shouldn't call each other mean names, but instead should come up with silly names for each other. It was so ridiculous...my sisters just looked at me like I had lost it. I was calling one of them a bunny and the other a butterfly while they were laughing at me and calling me a frog. I'm not sure if it cured us of calling each other names, but it made us think about it.

But now I know that God has a name for me, a special name that He keeps hidden away until the day when I see Him face to face. He has a name He calls me even now and it certainly isn't the names I heard on the playground as a child or in my sibling squabbles. He calls me Princess, Child of God, His Ambassador, Beloved, and so much more. I just need to remind myself of those names the next time I look in a mirror!

Comments

Tami said…
Good reminder, Heather. When I look in the mirror, I often ask God what He sees. I can't say it always "does the trick", but makes me go a little easier on myself.
beverlybygrace said…
This is so true. My husband was giving me a hard time today. He says that I am always looking in the mirror.
Melanie said…
Wow... beautiful post, Heather!

Princess, Child of God... so thankful this is the way the Lord see me, too!
Anonymous said…
It is always a good reminder... I find that even though I have lost weight and am finally down to my goal, I still end up not really wanting to look in the mirror, and would you think we have a full length mirror in the house?! Nope!!!

I am very self conscious about my looks, too much so, I think, and I don't like looking in the mirror unless I can do a "quick check" to make sure clothes and hair are in place, but forget anything else.

Maybe tonight as I brush my teeth or tomorrow as I get ready for the day, I will take a little longer look...
Thanks so much!
God bless,
Heather
Laura said…
My self-talk fluctuates a lot too, Heather. I think mainly that's because, in the past, I have let circumstances determine how I see myself instead of viewing myself as God does. Hmmm. Still a work in progress, right? Keep cleaning the closet!
Jill Beran said…
Great words. I love the story about your sisters, I grew up with two younger ones and can recall similar situations. But isn't is to so true how we can live up to the names we call ourselves. Thanks for the reminder that God has a special name for me as well.
Blessings,
Jill
Liz said…
We are the apple of His eye!
Thanks for the great thoughts.
Joy Junktion said…
Reminding myself of God's name(s) for me is something I often forget to do.
I am so thankful for daily reminders of who I am to Him.
And...thank you for this reminder.
Thanks for the reminder to remember how God see's me and not how I sometimes view myself!

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