The Looking Glass, Encore

(This is a continuation of last night's entry- I am repeating the introduction below.) We worked on one of my favorite assignments in our classes today. This week, the memory verse we are studying is James 1:22-24: "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 a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.'' We discussed the meaning and I brought up that Mom, in her late stages of Alzheimer's, did not recognize her own image. I told the kids that sometimes at the end of the day, I look at myself in the mirror, and don't always like what I see. The kids finished this statement: 'When I look in the mirror, I see....' Every student was allowed complete confidentiality and I did not even read any that requested privacy. My students were very honest. Over the next few nights, I'll run some of the responses of those who wanted to share; boys are in blue and girls are in purple. These are a mixture of 8th graders, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Some will choke you up.
"When I look in the mirror, I see a girl who has so much more to learn in her life. I see a bright girl who seems to always make the wrong decisions. I see a girl who has been through so many struggles and felt so much pain yet can hide it with a smile. I see the disappointment from others in my own eyes and know I can do much better. I see the numerous scars that have yet to heal and maybe never will from all I've encountered. I see the dreams I long for but know all I have to accomplish to get there. I pray to God I have the strength to do so." K.
"When I look in the mirror, I see a young man who is scared of the future. Even though he wants to be treated like an adult, I still see a boy with much to learn. I see a troubled soul who needs help. I see bottled up emotions that are begging to come out. I see a boy with far fetched dreams worrying if he can achieve them instead of if he can do good to others. I see a selfish and sometimes rude boy who looks confident on the outside but who on the inside is insecure and afraid of being judged even though he is quick to judge others on appearance instead of what is truly important. Most importantly, I see a God fearing individual with much to learn and many mistakes to be made." E.

"When I look in the mirror, I see nothing but flaws. I see a face looking back at me, asking, "What in the world are you doing? Who are you? Why are you being like this?" I see mistakes, scars on my arms, on my body, in my heart. I see loneliness, uncertainty, doubts, and fears. I see a girl buried with expectations, with stress, to the point that she wants to break out. I see wishful dreams, untold dreams, unrealistic dreams. I see limitations, hopelessness, stubbornness, failure. What I can't see is beauty, beauty in the soul. I see a girl who has filled her life with hatred, negativity, and tears. I look in the mirror and see a shattered person, a broken girl who screams for help. BUT, I also see angels lifting her up and pulling her to her feet." J.
"When I look in the mirror, I see a confident individual who has much work left to do. On the surface, there is a face made in the image of God yet it has its bumps and blemishes. Below the surface, though, there is a heart of gold, always willing to do a favor for a friend no matter how seismic. I see a person considered by many to be a man who has doubts about what his next move will be. He has directions he wants to head in but his plans have not come to the point of execution. He has a long journey ahead but needs to take the first step. I see a person waiting on God's guidance and once that happens, his determined destiny will be able to develop itself." T.
"When I look in the mirror, I see a young girl who is slowly maturing to become a lady. I see someone who always tries to look at the positive things and learn from the past. I see a girl who people call pretty even though she does not see it herself. I see a girl always laughing and smiling, trying to put a smile on someone's face. I see a face wanting something- she can never be just right. I see a girl who loves God and who is constantly praying. I see a girl very confused in life but she knows what she wants and how she is going to be successful in the future. Finally, I see a brown eyed girl who always tries to live like she will die the next day." T.
"When I look in the mirror, I see first a face, a face that has been through many trials. The evidence of those trials is seen in my eyes and the scars that have taught me lessons. I see my hair that has been long, short, and gone. I see determination to be an example to myself and to others. In the mirror, I see a boy who is turning into a man. I see the results of time and effort of focusing on my talents. I also see the weakness, where it has been, how it has changed outcomes. I also see the underlying fear: fear for a father and of The Father. The expression in my face is yearning to embrace that fear and turn it into strength and motivation to follow God's will. I see the confidence that everyone else feels and I see the consequences of misguided confidence and the roads it can take. I see the man I want to be and I see the way to get there." I.
Applicable quote of the day:
"The best mirror is an old friend."
Peter Nivio Zarlenga

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
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E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com