Reflections

At church, we have recently been discussing how we tend to live our lives based on the mirrors in which we see ourselves.  The image we see depends greatly on the perceptions we have about who we are, how society views us, and how we perceive that God sees us.  This morning I have been thinking a lot about the mirror I am holding up to each of my children.  What is the image I am projecting to them?  Do they look into the mirror I am holding and see a beautiful, talented, unique being created by God in His image and for His glory?  Or do they see the deficits and flaws that we and society have projected onto them based on the so-called "norms" we have created.  If they fail to conform to these norms, do they feel unique and gifted or weak and ashamed?  

I am almost forty years old and I still remember a distinct moment in my life when a teacher held up a mirror that made me see myself as just average.  Up until that moment, despite having grown up in a home filled with fear, abuse and dysfunction, I thought I was gifted.  All these years later, that memory is so vivid and so painful.  I do not want to be the one to hold up a mirror of negativity to anyone, especially not my children.  Instead, I want to hold up a mirror that reflects the strengths, gifts and unique talents and purposes God gave to each of my children.  It is our job as parents to help our children discover who they are and how they can contribute to this world and fulfill their God given purposes.