Friday, December 13, 2013

Five-Minute Friday: Reflect

Reflect.  It's that time of year for me...and maybe for many of us.  The time when we pause, maybe amidst holiday lights, perhaps with friends and family, or maybe in quiet moments by ourselves...we pause and reflect.  And as our minds go back through the highlight reel of the past year, we see ourselves and a portion of our lives in a mirror, however dimly. 

What is it that we see?  What are the highs and lows?  What are the highlights?  What do we want to bring forward with us into the new year, and what would be better off left behind, thrown to the winds of forgiveness, acceptance, and release.  And so we reflect.

What comes to mind just now is a scene from a Veggie Tales movie that our girls were watching the other night.  It was loosely based on the story of Snow White, but in this version, the Magic Mirror had a plot to take over the kindgom and rule instead of the queen.  The Mirror wanted the crown and kingdom for itself.  And the hostile takeover bit was all based on presenting a powerful false image and distorted reflection.

Well, it got me thinking about how often our images and reflections fight for our attention and for rulership of our lives.  What does the image of a perfect holiday look like, for example?  Or what does the reflection of a "good year" look like?  What is success?  Meaning?  And how does our reality line up with those images we hold inside? 

I can see why in the 10 Commandments, we were warned against making graven images for ourselves.  Images engraved upon our hearts, minds, and imaginations that can rule our hearts and actions. 

Images that can distort our view of true beauty, love, and an appreciation for what is.  Images that mar our ability to reflect upon, and reflect, beautiful imperfection.

Every year, for the past 4 years, I have done a "Year in Review" journal exercise for myself...to reflect.  To intentionally replay the previous year and look at the images and snapshots on my highlight reel.  This year, I want to do so with a mirror that is less distorted than last year's...with a little more love, acceptance, and grace.  A little more like how my God reflects upon me...with such kindness.

I invite you to do the same.  As you reflect upon your life, and perhaps upon this past year, look just a little deeper...a little more gently.  You may just see the reflection change, soften, and sweeten a bit.  I wish you peace, gratitude, and space to breathe, as you...reflect.