I was recently challenged by Glenn Lundy to read the above poem. I read it with new eyes given what I have gone through over the last couple of years what with Guillain Barre www.caringbridge.org/visit/Michaelguthrie in 2019 and Covid in 2020. You might find it helpful to do the same focusing on how you have dealt with your own adversities. Find a mirror and take a look. WHO DO YOU SEE? Have you changed for the good over these last 14 months? Are you in better shape physically or have you put on the Covid 19? How have you grown as a person or have you, given the lock down, hit the pause button on becoming a little better each and every day? Isn’t it interesting how doing a self check by looking in the mirror can raise so many questions?? On a side note, I will never hear this song in the same way ? https://youtu.be/PivWY9wn5ps
WHAT DO YOU SEE? Are you happy with the person who is looking back at you? I talked to a friend who used to shave in the dark because he knew he was out of shape. It wasn’t until his wife challenged him with some tough love that he decided to make a change. He now feels a lot better about the man in the glass. What do you say to the person so that you will want to become a better version of yourself? I have three. 1) How will you make a positive difference in the world today. 2) What will I do today that will move me closer to my goals? 3) Luke 10:27 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” I love you Lord and I will do my best to love others as you love me. When I do, I will trust You with the outcome of my actions.
WHAT DON’T YOU SEE? Recently, Dottie noticed a bump on my back that she thought had grown. Try as I might, even with other mirrors, I could not see it. It was a blind spot for me. I challenge you to read Miles McPherson’s book, The Third Option. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38532169-the-third-option He shares that we all have blind spots in our lives. Just like I needed Dottie to point out mine on my back, we need others in our lives who can lovingly share, like my friend’s wife, that there are things holding us back from serving others while becoming the new creation God promises us when we come to know Him. (PS-I did go to the doctor for the bump and it is nothing serious:)
WHO ELSE DO YOU SEE? When you gaze directly in the mirror, what you see is you. However, when you move just a bit peering into the same glass, others come into your vision. This thought encourages me to remember, it is not always about my life, but the life of theirs around me. It motivates toward having a more wide angled lens approach to those who God has cross my path. My hope and my prayer for you is that your reflection will provide God’s guiding light for those who are traveling through the darkness of depression or discouragement. Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’
This poem captures it all. Same words read differently say the exact opposite.
As you look in the mirror, which of the poem’s perspective will you strive for moving forward. If you found this blog post helpful, please subscribe so that you can receive email notifications when I post new content. I can be reached by email at [email protected]