I look in the mirror
     and what do I see?
Do I even like
    the person staring at me?
Sometimes it’s easy
     without looking to far.
To measure my worth
     by the depth of my scar.
The true value’s hidden
     and hard to appear.
When I view who I am
    by the things I do hear. 

You’re lazy, you’re stupid,
     you don’t do enough.
When compared to all others
     you don’t have the right stuff.
You don’t belong here,
     you’re really quite weird.
As a matter of fact,
     I can’t stand your gray beard.
The list could keep going
     with many more things.
If I listen too closely,
     in my ears it all rings. 

Sometimes it’s harder,
     I’m sorry to say.
To look at things different
     and see a new way.
Instead of opinions
     that others do tell.
I fix my thoughts heavenward,
     on Christ they do dwell.
He gives a new image
     of what I should see.
When the face in the mirror
     looks right back at me. 

He sees a new person,
     a child that belongs.
All of the labels
     washed away with the wrongs.
He gives me a new name
     and a robe that is white.
He calls me to follow
     as He makes everything right.
I’ve learned to trust Him
     when in the mirror I gaze.
Everything’s clearer
     when it’s Jesus I praise!

©

I was eating lunch in my office and praying for a family who were in the building for a memorial service and this poem just rolled out of my mind.  I don’t know that it was related to the memorial service at all, but perhaps in this quiet time with God it came from recent reminders of inadequacies and failures others have labeled me with.   I pray that it is an encouragement and comfort to someone and brings glory to God!