|
10-09-09 (Mirror Image)
|
Stephanie McIver
|
Oct 09, 2009 20:06 PDT
|
Steph’s Stuff
10-09-09
(Mirror Image)
I am riding in the back seat of my friend Mary’s car, driving north to
Portland for the Women of Faith conference., The sun is ALMOST up and
while I don’t have internet connection in the car (how RUDE!) I will
write what is on my heart and send it when I can, so if you don’t get
this until late tonight, know that it was truly written during early
morning ‘almost’ quiet time. Mary and Bette are chatting in the front
seat. We’ve gone through McDonald’s and have eaten our breakfast
sandwiches. I’m looking forward to a time of refreshment and renewal
with ladies I don’t often get to spend time with.
I’ve been talking to people lately about perceptions—hurts and
miscommunications that have occurred recently. I know all the parties
involved and I can see how those miscommunications happened. I feel in
my heart that they need to be cleared up and resolved as soon as
possible, but the hurting one says, “I can’t. I’m scared. I don’t
want to confront this person about what happened because I can’t seem to
be anything but incredibly hurt—or incredibly angry. That won’t work.
Neither of those emotions will effectively inform this person about how
they make me feel.”
I can relate to that. I have that same issue. That fear and sense of
overwhelming helplessness has ruled my life and decisions most of my
days. The coping skills that help others to negotiate these situations
flee from my mind when I feel pushed into a corner.
What I realized as I listened to another was that when I’m not the one
feeling attacked, I can be a bit more objective. I can look at the
details, hear the pain in their voice and remember feeling that same
kind of pain—but I can also remember being on the other side of that
equation, the one who is blamed for being insensitive and mean,
remembering how sad and surprised I was that one who knew me well could
think I would have those kinds of motives. And it has happened just
that way, more than once.
“Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later
we will see him face to face. We don't know everything, but then we
will, just as God completely understands us.” 1 Corinthians 13:12 (CEV)
I’m so glad He understands us, aren’t you? I can look at the reactions
and emotions of others and see the truth more objectively than I can
when the reactions and emotions are occurring in my own backyard. He
continues to encourage us to seek Him in these trials that are, after
all, a normal part of daily life. He never promised it would be easy.
We are the HUMAN race—and human beings make mistakes. We sin and we
fail and we bring on a lot of our own drama—but the image of that is
smeary and unclear—like a mirror that needs a good spray of Windex and
some vigorous scrubbing. When I look at the images I see, I am longing
for the day when I will see Him face to face—and the images of others I
see will be mirrored in myself—bringing an understanding that only He
can bring about.
What behavior isn’t clear to you? What ways has the enemy confused your
thinking? Can you be objective and try and see it with His eyes? His
grace? His forgiveness and mercy? Mirror your understanding that comes
from a distance perspective—but remember too, that He has forgiven us
for those behaviors—just as we are to forgive those who smear up our
mirrors.
I’m not sure what images I will see in the days ahead, but I ask for His
sight to bring clarity to those situations where I can make a
difference—to His glory.
I hope we can all look in the mirror without flinching.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of
the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB)
The day is coming. Transformation and glory. Hallelujah!
Fondly,
Stephanie
|
|
 |
|
