Have you met the lady in your mirror yet? If you haven’t, introduce yourself to her. Get to know her. I think you’ll really like her.
My Grandma had an old mirror with beveled edges and intricate white etching that ran along the bottom, she kept it hanging behind her bedroom door. When I was about four years old, Grandma would hold me up and I would look into the mirror. There was always the cutest little brown-eyed girl with golden hair smiling back at me.
Today my grandmother’s mirror hangs behind my own bedroom door. This morning I looked into the old mirror, and the little brown-eyed girl was gone. I could almost see my grandma looking back at me. In the past, my first reaction would be to reach for my almost empty jar of moisturizer, the one that I hoped would miraculously wash away the past 30 years. A woman can hope, right?
When I was younger I would look in the mirror and wonder, “Who will you be when you grow up, what will you do.” Today when I peered into the mirror and I saw the woman looking back at me, I knew her, I knew her well. I had arrived at the place in time the young girl had once asked me about. I saw her tired but hopeful eyes. I saw the lines caused by the laughter and joy my children and grandchildren have given me. I could see the late nights with a sick baby and the pain of loss and hardship. It’s all forever etched upon my heart, these tired eyes have given witness to it all.
When you look in the mirror and you see days have become years, don’t fret. Rejoice! Pass down the love of Christ from generation to generation. Share with your children and grandchildren how the Lord has blessed you. We’ll learn to see the blessings in the good times and the bad when we count it all joy.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
{Isaiah 46:4}
There are times in our lives that knock us off our feet, and other times we jump to our feet in celebration.
The day we see Jesus face to face, the shadows of darkness will be swallowed up by His glorious light. Our hope for the future will become joy in the present. Our faith will have vanished because we stand in His presence. Our mind will no longer imagine, because we will have received what God has prepared for us.
Today I asked myself: Who are you now that you’ve grown up? I have become a woman who loves God.
“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.”
{1 Corinthians 13:12}
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One week out of surgery for breast cancer and with a bright future ahead, I find myself looking in the mirror at this grey haired grandma wondering what I will become now with yet another chance to embrace life. One who loves God and knows deep inside that He loves me. Yes. I am a daughter of the King and I am blessed. Love this. It touches me today in so many ways.
I’m so thankful it blessed you Renee! Enter your new journey with all you are and let faith and life beautifully collide!
Beautiful words for those of us who aren’t quite at the Grandma stage of life. We don’t hear the upside to aging often. I am so thankful that (in)courage embraces writers from all spectrums of life.
I’m a few years in and being a Grandma is amazing! Thanks for your kind words and I am thankful for (in)courage too!
What a beautiful post. Thank you for focusing us on what really matters. I still have young children. My Mum died when my youngest was 1. Your post makes me think of the beauty of the Lord that poured out of her when her body gave way to the ravages of cancer. Joy of the Lord, even in the depths of hardship. She blessed us in many ways, her grandchildren being especially dear to her heart. May God bless these precious years with your family.
Your story about your mother sounds a lot like mine. Thank you so much Anna!
Isn’t it amazing how it is precisely in the deepest valleys that the peace and joy of the Lord is most visible? Hugs to you. I’m so sorry for the suffering you had to endure with your Mum dying, but I’m thankful to His faithfulness to you through that.
Yes I agree! It was a beautifully spiritual experience as the Lord gently took her home. She was ready and rejoiced in the days before. It was heartbreaking but a beautiful sight. I think you know what I mean. God bless you!
Mikki,
Great post on aging and what to look forward to!! I am hopefully awaiting the second coming of Jesus. That day when we can see Hi face to face. Till then I’m embracing who & whose I am!!!
Blessings 🙂
Thank you Beth! What a glorious day that will be!
Beautiful post, Mikki Jo. I’m in a similar stage (although not a grandma yet!) and I could use a dose of your perspective. Thank you!