It all started with my mirror ….
Photo/MilesRoss
I didn’t like what I saw–gray hair, wrinkles, and an extra chin. I could only see my faults—weaknesses, mistakes, and failures–nothing worthwhile.
But that’s not the worst part. I found myself focusing all the negative things around me, too. And I almost missed it.
“Missed what?” you might ask.
I almost missed the blessings. Let me explain.
Maybe you can understand me a little better if you observed the small songbird that I’ve watched attacking my large picture window in our den for the past few weeks.
“Weeks?”
Yes! Every day for the past few weeks, this silly bird either sits on the hummingbird feeder outside our window, or she lights on the picnic table on our deck. But she doesn’t stay there, singing her songs or enjoying the birdseed.
No—what does she do? Over and over again, she crashes into the window, fighting a battle with her own image reflection.
Is her adversary real or imagined? Both.
Real? Yes, because I didn’t make this story up–a bona fide, feathers-flying fowl fight.
And my tiny guest engages in this furious feud for hours at a time.
Whew! She makes me tired just writing about her.
Imagined? Yep! And I’m hoping that her plumed paranoia doesn’t kill her.
Why would I judge this fluffy, feathered sister?
I wage a similar battle every day when I look into my mirror.
I can’t resist it. The reflection I see produces frustrating responses, too.
Yes, I know it’s all part of the aging process.
Yes, I know that I need to just face the facts.
And yes, I would love to just get over it!
What do you think this skirmish is all about? I’m trying my best to accept and learn to love that ol’ lady face in my mirror!
It wouldn’t be so hard if that mirrored image reflected someone else. But I face it in every reflecting surface–my hand mirror, my full-length mirror, and my rear-view mirror–everywhere I go.
Right now, I’m attempting to be real—authentic, honest, truthful, sincere–and whatever other synonym you might use to describe a “nonfiction” writer. I don’t intend this blog to be an outlet for my “true confessions.” But I do want my readers to know that I’m very aware of my limitations. I do not have my act together. And I sense that I’m not alone in this age-old struggle.
So where are the blessings in this battle?
The personal battles with the aging process can produce wisdom and insight. I clearly do not have all the answers to all of the problems I face. But I am becoming more confident, and God’s Word continues to direct my path as I face growing older.
In other words, I want to grow older with grace—God’s grace.
… I press on to … focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead … Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things … But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. (Phil. 3:12-16 NLT)
I do plan to share what I’ve learned so far to encourage others who might be struggling with some of the same issues. And I also hope I will have a few victories to write about in the near future.
What battles are you facing with the aging process?
