What's Your Reflection?

While skyping with my daughter Tovah (who’s teaching in Honduras), last Sunday her principle stopped by her classroom to drop off material for Monday. She skypes from her classroom because the Wi-Fi is much better and it also affords us the privacy for heartfelt conversations. Okay, let me get back to my original thought…I ended up meeting her principal!

At first when she asked if he would like to meet me, I immediately thanked God I had washed my hair and looked pretty good…LOL! But, I quickly found out that it was more important what I looked like through my daughter’s reflection of me to others, versus my physical appearance.

Her principle said the most wonderful things that every parent wants to hear about their kids. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, and I already know you are a great woman, just by the way you raised your daughter! She is very kind and sweet,” he said. Wow! No, it’s not the first time I’ve been complemented on the good job I’ve done with my girls, but for some reason it all came together for me in a new light.

My new roommate also shared that because of my daughter, she felt we would get along right away—and—we do! They have worked together the past four summers at Trader Joe’s and she always admired how sweet, kind and hardworking she was. “It had to come from somewhere?” she told me. And because of my daughter’s reflection of me, I got to move into a really nice place with a fantastic woman.

But sisters here is my Ah-ha moment—this is the way it is supposed to be with us as Believers and Followers of Christ!

When the Messiah walked this earth…He (was) the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible] (Colossians 1:15a Amp). Now that He is seated at the right hand of the Father—we are to be the visible representation of the invisible God. Amen!

We all feel good when complimented on our children, especially when it is the light and love of Christ that people are talking about, whether they realize it or not.

Tovah is becoming friends with the maid who cleans her classroom, because she often stays late to prep for the next day. The maid (let’s call her Maria) speaks very little English (but wants to learn) and Tovah is a little rusty on some of her conversational Spanish—so they help each other.

I’ve raised both of my daughters to be respectful of people and to be kind and generous. And last week Maria (who is a new convert to Christianity and on fire for Jesus), told Tovah she sees the love of Christ in her and she knew she was her sister! But she also went on to say, “There are many here who say they belong to Jesus, but they do not tell the truth, because I see no love in them.” And Maria speaks the truth, because some of the things my daughter has encountered from particular people there, would make one wonder if they really know Christ at all and this is a Christian Academy.

But the saddest part of all of this is—it is just too common place—period! Too many claim to be followers of the Messiah, but there lives don't lineup. 

As any parent, I am pleased to hear good things about my daughters that are a direct reflection on how they were raised, and yes it not only makes me feel good, but makes me look good to others. But on the flip side, we are disappointed and sad when we see or hear of our children doing wrong. And especially when they were raised to know and do better! Well guess what! The same goes for God.

How must He feel when we live so beneath our privilege of being daughters of the King?  Or when we beg Him for things He has already given us, through the Cross. 

I often wonder what it’s like for Jesus, as we read His words and instructions for living for Him, (I miss that most Bibles no longer print His words in red ink.) yet we pick and choose what we want to do? He says, "Forgive!" But we say, "Not today Lord!"

Maria is able to see the fakes from the real thing because she is studying and growing in the things of God. The world does not read the Bible, instead they read those of us who say we belong to Him—and they are not seeing the “love” of Christ as they should. God is not getting the glowing reviews our reflection of Him should bring. And as parents we can relate to the bad reports. And even if you are not a parent you can still relate to seeing someone you love not do as well as they could in Christ.

We have no control over what people do or say—but we can have control over how we respond or handle things. And our response should be the love of Christ. And yes, there a many times it is easier said than done, but since it is a command, it is most doable for sure.

The best place to start is, studying the Bible for ourselves. Front to back! Not picking and choosing what we want to believe or do, but all of it…the good, the easy, the hard, and the excruciatingly painful. All of it!

I love that technology allows me and Tovah to text each day, play Words with Friends, and have a face-to-face 2 hour skype date on Sundays with no extra cost to us. As a parent—I am thrilled we can do this! But you know what sisters—same goes for us spending daily and quality time with God, our Father. He is thrilled when it happens too!

There are no three steps or five keys to a better Christian life. There is only taking the time to cultivate and grow our relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. That is all we need—Amen!

Thought for the day...do people see the reflection of Christ when they look at you? And if not...why?

Until next week...

Blessings and Hugs,

Ponnie