“And the beauty of a woman, with passing years only grows!”
Audrey Hepburn
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Peering in, I pulled the mirror closer, traced the lines etched on my face. The permanent crease above my left eye from countless nights burrowed deep in my pillow. I wish someone had told me not to sleep on the same side all these years.
It’s the day between Valentine’s and my fifty-seventh birthday. It’s gray and dreary with buckets of rain falling from the sky. A fitting day for reflection.
I continue to peer at the face in the mirror searching for other things I wish I had been told. I am beckoned back to that women child from twenty, thirty years ago. What might I say to her today, what might I say to you?
Layer upon layer will soon one day wear you down.
Perfection is merely a mask of false bravado, a covering for all the raw, vulnerable places lying deep inside longing to be healed.
You may loose a piece of yourself when you love big. The gaping hole will soon fill again.
The bile of bitter regret will sometimes snake its way into your heart, where you will find grace if you search deep.
Don’t fret over the first grey hair nor the multitude that will follow, the wrinkles, or the scales.
Live the days to the fullest rather than stewing in the might have been or what might be.
Your children will mostly forgive you all your mistakes. God will forgive all your sins.
It is only when you peer into the face of the mirror, finding, placing your identity in Christ, will you find your true self.
I wished I had noticed birds sing in the rain. I could have spent less time on the “woe is me,” and more time singing and dancing in the rain.
When the wilderness comes God will part the way, take your hand and lead you through. I didn’t know this before. I know it today. Live it today. And so I am telling you.
“What’s really real?
Real is the new perfect. Perfection is found as I follow Jesus into the center of real life-social media included- and come to know His heart, one overflowing with freedom and peace.”
Bekah Jane Pogue from Choosing Real
One more thing, follow Jesus and there you will find your one true authentic self.
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This is so good! There are so many areas of my life that I felt were wasted in my pursuit of a false perfection. God gaves us the best example in Jesus. I’m following Him right along with you. Blessings!
Don’t we all do that Barbie!
Thank you for stopping by!
XO
Tammy
Oh, we were thinking some of the things this week, as I just posted about looking in the mirror also! I’m so thankful that God sees the true and real depth of our heart! And this: “When the wilderness comes God will part the way, take your hand and lead you through” is such an encouragement! Amen!
I saw that Bettie! Wow! God is at work!
Thank you again for your encouraging words!
XO
Tammy
Great lessons you’ve learned over the years. I love the way you shared them here.
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope you get a bit of sunshine tomorrowl
Thank you Cheri!
XO
Tammy
Your children will mostly forgive you all your mistakes. God will forgive all your sins. I wish I had used moisturizer on my face – I do now…
And stayed out of the sun!! SMILE~
XO
Tammy
Cue music, snap open a yellow umbrella as your dance partner and get ready to belt…”I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain, what a glorious feeling I’m happy again.” Sometimes we have to let ourself feel the rain fall to remind us to live right here, right now. Thanks for sharing your words!
So true Jessica! Thank you for stopping by!
XO
Tammy
Happy Happy Birthday friend! I’ve been thinking about perfection as the text for Sunday is “Be perfect therefore as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” Perfect in this sense comes from the root word “telos” which means “to reach an intended goal, working towards completion etc.”
Thank you Tara for sharing that! I’m writing that in my journal! Keep me posted. I would love to hear more about your message!
XO
Tammy
Good insight. Seeking Jesus is the only way to go! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Sherry for stopping by!
XO
Tammy