Woman In The Mirror

I was never a huge Michael Jackson fan. However, some of his music really hits home. “Man In The Mirror” is one of those songs.

I have been starting with the woman in the mirror for quite awhile now. I have looked deep inside at what was wrong in my life and what I needed to do about it.

Yesterday someone gave me this:

I asked for strength and
God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom and
God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity and
God gave me brawn and brains to work.

I asked for courage and
God gave me dangers to overcome

I asked for patience and
God placed me in situations where
I was forced to wait.

I asked for love and
God gave me troubled people to help.

I asked for favors and
God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted
I received everything I needed.

My prayers have all been answered.

At first, I was angry. I felt my faith being questioned, especially when she said, “You brought it on yourself.” When she handed the paper to me, I knew she meant that I prayed for this and got that but this is the way I have lived my life since I gave my heart to Christ almost 25 years ago. When the friend left, I actually ripped up the paper. I may not shout my faith from the hilltops but I walk the path set in front of me in quiet obedience.

You see, when I looked at my friend who gave me this, I saw an earlier version of me. I was looking in the mirror and not liking what I saw. When I realized that, I started to feel better about my life now and this young woman standing in front of me.

Looking in the mirror is not always an easy task for someone with mental issues or even physical conditions. We don’t always look our best and don’t like the reminder. But it was looking in that mirror and seeing that there is beauty in there – beauty that God gave me – that made me want to put the past behind me and move on. That meant forgiving all those people who wronged me and forgive myself for letting it go on so long. And I did that in the last few years.

As for my friend, I think that the last month or so of not being in contact was really good for her as she could see what she is capable of alone. It was good for me because I needed to focus on my own needs and now had the time to. We have agreed to continue to give each other space and see what happens in the future. I know this is in God’s hands.

I know MJ was talking about more global change; however, he was starting with the man in the mirror. If I want to help my friend or anyone else, I need to keep looking in that mirror and making sure I like what I see, inside and out.

Lydia!