The Looking Glass

Have you ever considered how often we look in mirrors? We use them to fix our hair, brush our teeth, shave our face, tie a tie, put on make-up or judge an outfit. It’s not just women; men use them with as much frequency. We use mirrors to compare ourselves to a standard. We prefer to look a certain way and check ourselves in the mirror to ensure we do. If not, we make the necessary adjustments so that we present ourselves the way we desire. We don’t just check the mirror once; we come back to it regularly.

Mirrors are everywhere. We have them in our homes, carry them in our purses and find them in many public places. They come in different sizes and types. Magnification mirrors zoom in close so that every detail is enlarged. Distortion mirrors are usually found at amusement parks in the fun house. They make things look very different than they really are.

There is yet another kind of mirror, one that shows not our physical selves but our inward selves. There are actually two types of these; a mirror of darkness and a mirror of light.

The mirror of darkness is the world’s mirror. In it we compare ourselves to others. There we may see ourselves as less than. If we do, we hate ourselves or others for what we think we lack. It’s in this mirror that we find fuel to tear down others and ourselves through self-doubt, gossip, unforgiveness, jealousy and bitterness.

At other times, the mirror of darkness misleads us into seeing ourselves as better than others. We puff up with pride and the thrill of self-delight believing that we can do anything and deserve everything. We may see a few flaws but are convinced we are good enough as we are and cover any imperfections with the makeup of deception. We tell lies, keep secrets, and do whatever it takes to keep our failings from being known.

When we look in the mirror of light- God’s holy word- we compare ourselves to Christ. In it we see ourselves as God does, as we truly are. We see that we are beautiful- beautifully and wonderfully made with a specific purpose in mind. We see our potential fulfilled through God’s power instead of our own. We don’t see ourselves as perfect, we are shown our flaws but only as the imperfections that exist in broken jars of clay.

The heavenly mirror does not elevate us. It reveals to us that all we are and all we have are gifts from the Father. Nothing, not wealth, talent, status, intellect or physical prowess comes from us or are deserved by us. As a result this mirror fuels forgiveness, encouragement and love towards others and ourselves.

It is this mirror that convicts us, exposing our hidden blemishes, our sin, to the light. As long as they remain hidden, these blemishes hinder our Christ-like development. God is continuing an ongoing work in us. Through the mirror we acknowledge our failures and present them to Him where they can be healed.

As children of the King, our standard should be Christ not others. Just as with a physical mirror, when we look into a spiritual mirror, we need make adjustments so that our lives reflect Him. As fallen people there will be times we have not bad hair days but bad heart days, days that require multiple adjustments. Yet, the more frequently we check ourselves in the mirror of light, the less extreme those adjustments need be.

When you’re checking your physical appearance, be sure to look into a realistic mirror; one that doesn’t distort what you see. The same is true with your spiritual appearance. Be sure that the mirror chosen is one that shows you what you need to see, even if its not necessarily what you want to see.

Family Traditions

Ah, the smell of Christmas in the air. The aroma of cinnamon, sugar, and sweet golden cookies baking in the oven tantalizes the senses in our house this time of year. Our Christmas tradition is baking cookies just as my husband’s grandmothers both did years ago. We even use many of the same recipes handed down for generations.

Some family traditions are fun, like baking yummy cookies or cutting your own Christmas tree. Others are a little different, like my in-laws baking ketchup into their macaroni and cheese. While still others are dangerous, or at best unhealthy, like anger issues, addiction, substance abuse and divorce.

Sometimes we can pass along or create traditions that we’re not even aware of. One year when our daughter was little, she became upset after we put out the nativity scene. To her it was on the wrong table. She didn’t want the position changed because to her its placement was a family tradition.

Unlike the physical traits we pass along to our kids, we can choose which traditions to carry on. We can even start fresh and create new ones. Unlike Hank Williams Jr., there are traditions from past generations in my family that I don’t want to continue. But to do so I need to make a conscious decision to take steps to circumvent them and maintain a watchful eye to take action should they arise. Just because they are part of my history, doesn’t mean they have to be part of my legacy.

Most families, if we’re honest, have a few unhealthy traditions. They may be obvious like: substance abuse, addiction or divorce or they may be more subtle like: prejudice, selfishness, money mismanagement, or irresponsibility. While we aren’t forced to carry on traditions, we do need to give thought to the one’s we’ve inherited so that we don’t inadvertently pass along undesired ones. Are there behaviors, temperaments and attitudes from past generations that you are unwittingly handing down to your children?

Now is a good time to reflect on just what family traditions you are passing along. Are they ones that reflect your values and create a stronger, healthier family? If not, there is never a better time to make a change.

While you are considering, please pass the milk. I need to pour a big glass to go along with my delicious sugar cookie.


               May the traditions I pass down be ones that glorify the Father.

Sammy Warren & the True Magic of Santa Claus

I've posted a free Christmas e-book for you on my webpage. I first wrote this several years ago to help explain Santa to my daughter. I hope you enjoy it.

Join Sammy as he seeks to learn the truth about Santa Claus from Nana and discovers that there is so much more to the magic and mystery of Christmas than he ever imagined.

Click below to get a PDF copy of Sammy Warren & the True Magic of Santa Claus


http://annwilds.web.officelive.com/ReadersPage.aspx

Were You Expecting Coke or Dr. Pepper?

She sat alone at the table, absentmindedly eating her fries, as she contemplated her life. She’d been married just nine months now but already she was tired of it. All her life she'd dreamed of getting married, finding the perfect man- her Prince Charming. She knew that life would be wonderful then. But it wasn't wonderful; he worked all the time and rarely paid her any attention when he was home. Was this really all there was? Where was her happily-ever-after? Maybe if they had a child... 

He had just sat down with his order when he got the call that felt like a kick in the stomach. He couldn’t believe it! How could they have not given him the promotion? He’d worked so hard for them, putting in countless hours away from home and the family, to work on the project. They'd promoted the new guy instead. Suddenly, it was as if he was 10 years old again getting picked last for the kickball team in P.E. Would he ever get a chance to prove himself?

The girls sat together sharing dessert as they talked about pledge week. They just had to get into Delta Gamma Pi. If they didn’t their college lives would be ruined; afterall, anybody who was anybody on campus was a Delta.

None of the patrons noticed him at first. He was just a boy filling his cup at the drink dispenser. But as his behavior grew more and more exaggerated, he caught the attention of everyone in the place. At first glance, nothing appeared unusual, but as they watched his behavior grew erratic. As expected, he’d put ice in his cup, fill it and then take a sip. But that’s when his behavior turned odd. He’d make a disgusted face, dump it out and start all over again; each time growing more and more frustrated until he was yelling in dismay. That’s when the manager approached him. “Son”, he said “what are you doing?” The boy looked at him with tears in his eyes and said, “I’m trying to get a Coke but it keeps coming out Dr. Pepper. I hate Dr. Pepper!” The man said gently, “That’s because you’re placing your cup under Dr. Pepper instead of Coke. Here, let me fill it for you.” He handed the boy his cup now filled with Coke. He tasted it then burst into an enormous grin. “Thank you, sir!” he exclaimed, running out the door. The manger turned to face the other patrons and smiled. “That’s what happens when you try to fill up in the wrong place.”

Those words resonated like a gong through the heart of each patron. As one they realized they’d been doing the exact same thing as the little boy, not with their drink choices but with their lives. Each one had been trying to fill themselves up in the wrong place.

Have you ever expected fulfillment from something only to find yourself disappointed? I know I have. I've expected my career position to give me value. I've hoped education and learning would give me meaning. I've turned to my husband and motherhood to give me completion. And I've looked to the opinions of others to validate my worth. But none of them were able to give me what I was seeking, not in the long-term. It wasn't wrong to find value in these things. It was wrong to expect more of them than they could provide.

Each of us is created with a longing for significance. We search for it in many places but nothing on earth will completely fill the need. Relationships can't give us real meaning or define us. Neither career or position can give us true self-worth nor can allcolades or prosperity give us value. None of what we truly long for can be found outside of an identity through Christ. By design, He created us to yearn for Him by placing a God-shaped hole in our soul. Nothing else we try to fill it with will complete us except for Him.

Are you longing for significance in your life, lacking value or feeling incomplete? Are you seeking your worth from the opinions of other's? If you are, check to see what it is you are filling yourself with. You’ll want to be sure that you have placed your cup under the right dispenser. Each day, ask God to fill you anew.


Acts 17:27 -28: 'God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being ... '