Mirrors

We are our own worst critics. When I listen to the recordings of my music, I cringe at every flaw and what I hear as a mistake. Yet, when others listen, it feels funny to hear them say things like, "Wow! I love it!". The same goes for giving messages, finishing drawings, and even the response I get from the firmness of my handshake.

The world tells us the image of ourselves in the mirror is most important, so we stand in front of one every morning and work on the image we see until we no longer see any flaws, or at least get rid of as many as we can. We spend countless hours changing clothes till we find the right outfit for the day, hairstyles that show off how we feel, and of course facial hygiene/make-up till all of our blemishes are hidden from sight. The mirror tells us when we are ready to go for the day.

And this is our routine. Every day.

What if the real mirror is in the eyes of others? What if the reason God gave us the responsibility to "Go into the world with the message of God's Love" is because He knew how important we are to each other? The issue we have with that, I think, is that we tend to be judgmental of each other and that keeps us from feeling like we can gather any hope from how others view us. It's amazing how sin attempts to block us from the rewards of God's Kingdom.

Try this:

•Instead of listening for how others criticize you, pay close attention to the good that others see in you. Watch for what others point out about you that you couldn't see in the microscope of your own eyes. It is impossible for us to back away for an arial shot of how we look and influence, we need the perspective from others.
• instead of being the one dishing out the criticism, be the one that gives positive encouragement and the eyes for what others cannot see of themselves. It is easy for us to believe that we are helping others by "warning" them about their flaws and imperfections, but we forget that they are already busy picking themselves apart with the mirror they carry around everywhere they go, and it feels good to focus on their issues so that we can feel like we are taking a break from our own.

God created us and saw the mix He used formed a need for companionship. We are designed to encourage one another and affirm each others strengths. What kind of companion are you?