God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. ~Augustine of Hippo
The scene…
You’ve stared at yourself in the mirror ad nauseam. Every hair is in place, there’s no spinach between your teeth, and your outfit is perfect. It’s a good day.
With a bounce in your step, you walk downtown to meet up with friends. Just before rounding the corner of your local Starbucks, you catch a glimpse of your reflection in a storefront window.
Was that me?
You sneak another peek.
And your heart drops.
Why did I wear this? How much weight have I gained? Am I really that bald? have I always been so scrawny?
Whatever.
Shame smacks you in the face and you trade the bounce in your step for a ball and chain.
The reflection…
Which is true?
The reflection you saw in the mirror or the one in the window?
Neither or both?
Yes.
Confused? Me too. But here’s the thing…It isn’t the reflection that’s confusing. We all know our reflections, especially those we see in glass, or on water, or in someone else’s eyes, are distorted. Sure we see an image of ourselves, but it isn’t a true image. What’s confusing is what we do with the image we see.
We allow it to define us.
We let it impact our demeanor.
We believe the lies.
The truth…
There’s only one reflection that matters. The one we see of ourselves in our Heavenly Father’s eyes. The reflection of Love. The truth of who we are–all of who we are. Fully known.
Fully known? Even as I write that I want to hide. What about you? God knows everything about us. There is no hiding. But the truth is that not only are we fully known by Him. We’re also fully loved.
Fully known and fully loved.
Just the thought leads to tears. Tears of gratitude–tears of joy.
Fully known and fully loved.
Incomprehensible now.
But then…
Oh, just imagine…
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
I Corinthians 13:12
Which reflection do you see?
Ginny L. Yttrup is a novelist and speaker, and great encourager to fledgling writers (like me). Her third novel, Invisible, releases April 1, 2013. A review of Ginny’s latest book is coming soon, but meanwhile I’ll whet your appetite with this endorsement by renowned writer and speaker Liz Curtis Higgs:
Her writing is fresh, winsome, and deeply spiritual. Faith isn’t merely a thread woven through the story; faith is the fabric upon which Invisible is stitched with a loving hand. Healing and hope can be found among these pages–not only for each character, but for the reader as well.
You can find Ginny and her books over at ginnyytrrup.com.
This is post fifteen of our Lent To Love: A Return to the Source series on 1 Corinthians 13. Why not subscribe today and join us on the journey?
Photo credit
7 replies on “Reflection Correction: A Guest Post by Ginny Yttrup”
A beautiful reminder of the definition of true beauty… thanks, Ginny! And thanks, Janet, for posting it.
Thanks for jumping in, Kathy! God bless you.
It took me years to realize that I am beautiful in the eyes of my Loving Father. There are days when I forget that amazing truth. So, I love being reminded that my value is in Christ alone. The more clearly I see Him, the more clearly I can see myself and others. Thank you for having the courage to write this book, Ginny! And thank you, Janet, for sharing this post. 🙂
Thanks, Xochi! You’re such a blessing to me. I can’t wait to read your books!
Lovely post, and oh so true. We tend to see ourselves how we perceive others will see us and expect to be criticized. True beauty is in the way we behave toward others, not the window dressing we wear on the outside. Thanks for an insightful perspective of where our true beauty comes from.
Elaine, thank you for sharing your wisdom. You are so right, “True beauty is the way we behave toward others.” In that way, beauty and love are synonymous.
Thank you, Kathy. 🙂