By MARY GEISEN
I woke up and walked into the bathroom just like every morning. One wall is flanked with a large mirror and I can’t help but catch my reflection as I walk by. The first look in the morning is not my favorite, but on this particular morning a new awareness filled my line of vision. The person in the mirror is now a single mom. I no longer belonged to another and instead, I was beginning a journey of walking through life alone. The realization hit me hard and threatened to knock me over with a truth I never thought would be mine.
Flash forward thirteen years. What I know is that I chose to let the title of “single mom” weigh me down and hold me back for far too long. In the moment of raising teen-age sons, working full time, and trying to keep my head above the water, I just wanted someone, anyone to recognize how hard this was for me. The person in the mirror looked like me, sure, but some days I didn’t recognize the face staring back.
While thirteen years have passed and while I am still a single mom, that alone no longer defines my story. My sons are grown, married, and successful. I finished a career as an elementary teacher and am now retired. And I just became a grandma for the first time to a beautiful grandson! I am so much more than the title of single mom that I believed I needed to carry and wear as a badge of honor for the rest of my life. The person in the mirror feels more like me.
I want to encourage you that your reflection is one that is so much more than that one thing you might be claiming about yourself. If you are a believer, you have the incredible gift of a new life in Christ. You can let go of the burdens of who you think you are or the titles others call you and claim your identity in Christ. My life as a single mom has brought me such wonderful friends, connections, and strength in God that I am much more than that one part that defines me.
Guess what? The same is true of you. You are so much more than that label. Whether you are allowing your past to define you or are carrying a burden based on a choice that you are not proud of, you are deeply loved by a Father who declares you good, worthy, and loved. Let these words from Galatians speak a new truth over who you are as a child of God created anew in Him.
My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine! (Galatians 2:20 TPT)
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT Take time today to really look at yourself in the mirror. What do you see? Who do you claim you are? Is the person staring back a reflection of who you really are, or is it a made up view of what you tell yourself?
Let me encourage you to read Psalm 139 and let the words God proclaims throughout this psalm become your truth. My life verse is Psalm 139:14-and I say these words daily to affirm what God says about me: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Think about finding a verse today that will guide you toward a richer, more meaningful identity in Christ.
PRAYER Heavenly Father, You say I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Today I ask that you fill me with this truth as I look in the mirror. May the reflection of who I am shine back as the truth of what you say about me. On the days I doubt, point me to your truth and show me that your love is enough. I thank you and praise you that you made me in your image and you say I am wonderfully made. Amen.
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