Jesus Loves You – The Girl in the Mirror
We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5: 3-5 NIV
When I look in the mirror, I sometimes imagine the girl I used to be. The girl who had to have her hair braided just right to cheer at the high school football games and the little cuts from my braces on my lips when I smiled.
I remember the hours of practicing the famous Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader jump split we had to perfect for the halftime performance. Those were the days! Worries and dark valleys were so far away. I only worried about catching the eye of the cute football player or passing the test in that tough class (for me it was math). I admire anyone who can do math in their head – God knew I would always need a calculator.
Where did that girl go? She is still inside me. I have just grown up!
The strawberry blonde locks are turning gray; the legs don’t move like they use to; jump kicks are in the past and a walker has replaced the pompoms that I carried so proudly when I marched onto the football field. I am still that girl, but life takes its toll. The valleys come but you grow stronger in your faith. Jesus didn’t say “if you have suffering,” he said “when.” I believe that when we are at our weakest, it is then we are the strongest. God gives us the strength, though it may come with tears. The time comes when we must lay those pompoms down and pick up a walker. Living with an uncurable illness like Stiff Person Syndrome, is not the story I would write, but it is in the chapter of the book God is writing for my life. As I grow closer to Him and study scripture, I know one day when I see Him face to face – He might even hand me a set of pompoms and say, “Now let me see that jump split again,” The angels will cheer, and Jesus will smile as I do a perfect jump split in a fully restored body. I will fall to my knees in praise because I know how far He has brought me.
Don’t shy away from the gray hair, wrinkles, or achy joints. They are our battle scars. Each gray hair and wrinkle tell a story. The challenges you faced through the years are etched on your outer being. God brought you through the grief of the loss of a loved one, financial crisis, or a breakup. Our body may look differently as time passes – but I believe it is protecting that child inside, just like Jesus protects us.
Nothing we face or experience is a surprise to Him. Give Him praise for each day and push toward the finish line in whatever you are facing. Jesus is waiting there for you because He knows you can do it with Him by your side. He will wipe your tears away, heal your skinned knees and elbows, and you will walk straight and tall with Him in eternity.
Mitzie Avera
