You know that embarrassing moment when you get home after a long day, go to the bathroom, and see a huge black or green something between your teeth from lunch?
Ugh! How long has THAT been there?
And why didn't anyone tell me?
That's the best analogy I can think of right now to describe the soul-searching I've been doing lately. It's hard to face the mirror, so to speak, and see ugly things in myself. Hard, but necessary.
And thankfully, I had a friend to act as my mirror and show me the crud between my proverbial teeth. She had been there before, and could recognize the nasty for what it was. And she had the guts, and the compassion, to pull me aside and show me myself. As embarrassed as I felt in the moment, I love her more for it.
After she handed me the mirror, Jesus has been refining what she said, making the image clearer. I am unique...and so is my crud.
I'm finding that it takes guts on my part too, to keep on looking steadily at reality. I would much rather simply believe I was ok, you know?
But humility leads to healing, and I know my heart has broken places that need it. And all summer, like a movie soundtrack on repeat from the next room, I've heard about the way our loving God uses pain to get our attention, humble us, and ultimately heal our brokenness.
I'd actually love to hear your feedback. Have you had to face a mirror, or get up the courage to hold one up for a friend?
I think all of us have to face the mirror at some point (or many points...). So, of course I have, and as perhaps hinted: many times.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to look at reality, it's hard to look at brokenness, it's hard to look at our "crud".
But yes, "God uses pain to get our attention, to humble us, and ultimately heal our brokenness". And I'm thankful for it.
As for the 2nd part of your question: sort of. I have a very difficult time pointing out sin or anything like that; I'm highly empathetic and through that compassionate. While that's a good quality, it often leads to difficulty with conflict and confronting sin, as noted previously. I did "hold a mirror up" for a friend I felt was hiding, though.
It's great you have a friend (or two or three) who can do that for you!
Cherise, you're beautiful. We still need to get together again to share stories. :)