I've mentioned before that one of the greatest enjoyments of my daily commute to and from work, is having the opportunity to take part in the beauty of a sunrise and sunset. There are a few spots along the way that I have sought out and pulled over to capture this beauty digitally, as well as in my mind.
Rice fields can be a horrible nightmare for someone who has allergies. When farmers burn...I am miserable. However, when the fields are covered with water...I am blessed. For me personally, one of the most beautiful images is the way nature reflects itself in water.
This past week I have been at a standstill with what to blog about. I had intentions on posting a Thanksgiving Blessing blog but whenever I sat down at the computer there was something else that took my focus off of writing. Last night, my son's remark clinched the title, "Reflections."
I miss football, but I am so glad that Nick has his Tuesday nights free again so he can attend youth group at church. When we got in the car last night to head home, he was so energetic. Typically, I will test, I mean ask him what youth group was about. Some days he can respond in detail and some days all he can remember was playing games before worship. :)
Last night, his energy filled the car and all of a sudden, he burst out, "I am amazing!!!" Hmmm...My first thought was, do we need to have little "ego talk?" I want my son to have confidence and all, but I have no tolerance for arrogance. Before I could mumble a response, he eagerly went on...
"That's what Pastor Brent's message was about! God made me, and He created me to be amazing!!!" Ahhh...such sweet words to hear come out of your child's mouth. Pastor Brent challenged all of the kids to go home, look at themselves in the mirror and say, "I am amazing!"
Before Nick went to bed last night, he spoke that phrase in the mirror about three or four times so everyone could hear, and then said... "I'll probably forget this in a few days." ...so there it is.
And then I got to thinking, I could care less if my son forgets history lessons, math equations, or science experiments. I don't ever want him to forget the beauty of God's Creation, the fact that we were all created in His perfect image, and that we are to reflect that image onto others.
And then, I got to thinking about all of the numerous times that I forget.
All it takes is a single moment of insecurity and I wonder why.
...Why can't I be "good enough?"
The problem is, I fall into the trap of measuring myself by the world's standards and forget how irrelevant that ultimately is.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
-2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV
"...are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory..."
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
-James 1:22-24 NIV
I find it way to easy to get lost in Scripture thinking about how good it is, how beautiful it is, how right it is, and then...
...disagreements occur.
...stress ensues.
...doubt consumes.
We all need to remember we're here to reflect...
...not forget.
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