The Other Side of the Mirror

       Hello Beautiful, looking good! Your hair? Lovely. Your makeup? Perfect. Wait, smile…ok, you're good. Nothing in those pearly whites. Today is going to be a great day. Excuse me? I’m not fat! My nose?! I love my nose! ! Ok, enough!  

      

      Deep breath. Ok Beautiful, it's time I spoke. I have been here for you Every. Single. Day. I have endured your critiques long enough. I have beheld you on your good days, and on the bad. Yes, I saw that new wrinkle. Yes, I saw that zit. I saw you cry those tears of despair, and I remember that time when the world was yours. I saw you then, and I see you now. From the moment we met, until this one, I've seen you. The REAL you. Not some distorted image or reflection, but the real you. Every day I see you, and every day the same words still apply-  "Hello Beautiful." 

      Do you remember when you were a little girl you would make those silly faces, and laugh while admiring yourself? Sadly, somewhere along the way you lost her. The outpouring of admiration has been replaced by a flood of disgust. Your regrets play on repeat as if your past holds your future ransom. I watch as you pick yourself apart piece by piece discarding self worth as if it’s disposable. Why? What do you see now that you didn't see then? 

      

      Let me tell you what I see. I see a strong, fierce woman. I see a woman who has been knocked down, but is standing once again. I see a grace covered past, and a hope filled future. I see a story. Your story. I see a life riddled with perseverance, passion, and beauty. I see you. 

      So, Beautiful, if you ever question who you are, or find yourself standing here searching for truth, remember this: What you see is merely an image of who you are. I am only a reflection of reality. The answer lies on the other side of the mirror. 

       This blog was birthed one morning while looking in the mirror desperately searching for answers. I stood staring at a reflection I didn’t seem to recognize. My reality had become distorted. From that moment, I decided I was no longer going to be defined by anything, but truth. I now choose to see my “flaws” (stretch marks, scars, age lines, etc.) for what they really are - evidence of existence. A life in progress. Today, instead of stepping up to the mirror with disdain, I approach with my head held high, a smile on my face, and an appropriate response- “Hello Beautiful.” 

May you see yourself as you truly are!

Until next time, Beautiful.

Never say...

       I said I would never blog. Ever. Yet, here I am, sitting at my desk while the kiddos sleep, setting up a blog! You see, there are wise people, and then there are people who constantly use the word "never". I will NEVER marry a guy like that. I am NEVER having kids. I am NEVER living in a small town. I am NEVER going to homeschool. I am NEVER going to be a pastor's wife. You get the picture. I am obviously the latter. I married "that" guy, we settled on an even half dozen kids (Yes, six. That wasn't a typo.), we live in a small town, I homeschool said children, my husband pastors a church, I now have a blog, AND I wouldn't change a thing! I love it! All of it! I even drive what looks like a shuttle bus because we just weren't stereotypical enough.
     
       My point is this, we all have plans, or goals for our lives, but sometimes things change. People change, circumstances change, dreams change, and you just have to go with it. You have a purpose, and sometimes our setting has to shift in order for us to see who we really are, and what we're made of. Whether you are loving life, or barely breathing, embrace the journey. You don't know what lies ahead, but whatever it is, it's yours. So, take a deep breath, grab on with both hands, and own it.

Until next time, Beautiful.