Moments of Grace: Who Do You See in the Mirror?

Yesterday as I was going through my morning routine of washing my face, brushing my hair and putting on makeup, I caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror that reminded me of my maternal grandmother.  It was a fleeting look, a certain pose that I remembered seeing in a photograph of her that used to hang on the wall in the home I grew up in.  It rather startled me at first, but then it was such a pleasant thought..."I look like my Grandma Tedlie".  No one had ever said that before.

 Since I've recently retired, I have more time on my hands it seems...and I suddenly felt like playing with this little scenario.  After searching out a copy of the familiar portrait of my grandmother, I decided to dress up similar to the way she was dressed, and then see if I truly did look anything like her.  My husband was willing to humor me and said he would do the honor of taking my picture.

Here's my beautiful Grandma:

And here I am, trying to look like her.

Then, crazy woman that I am, I put this on Facebook.  The reviews were mixed.  Some said yes, definitely! Especially the cheekbones. And others said they couldn't see any resemblance at all.  Those who know me well declared that I must be "losing it" and that I need something more to do with my time.  Could be.

As I pondered this I wondered to myself just why did I do this kooky thing? Am I "losing it", or am I just having a little fun and playing "dress up" like a little girl again.  Is that so bad?  One of my friends said that she thought the side by side pictures would please my grandmother very much.  I like that thought. I never got to spend much time with my grandma.  We moved to Florida when I was only five, and my grandparents lived in Ohio.  Consequently, we got to see them only once a year when we took a summer trip to visit.  Unfortunately, my grandmother was not well for quite a few years, and then she passed away when I was fifteen.  So I always felt like I really didn't get to know her and she truly didn't know me either.

Okay, enough of this nostalgia.  What is really going on here? Perhaps it is a type of search for my identity.  I've often wondered about my ancestors, and have thought how wonderful it will be to meet them all face to face someday in heaven and discover who they are and who I really do resemble.

More than all the ancestors, however, I look forward to seeing my Lord and Savior face to face...and hopefully discover that He is the One Whom I resemble most of all.

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."  

2 Corinthians 3:18

Here is an old hymn that expresses my thoughts and desires:

O To Be Like Thee, Blessed Redeemer  By Thomas O. Chisholm, written in 1897.  (Click on the link to hear this beautiful hymn)

O to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Refrain

O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,
Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

O to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wandering sinner to find.

Refrain

O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer others to save.

Refrain

O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming
Now to receive anointing divine;
All that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

Refrain

O to be like Thee! while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Refrain

"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.  

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."

I Corinthians 13:12

Lord, I pray that day by day I am being changed into Your glorious image. 

Forgive me when I take my eyes off of You and focus more on me or the things of this world.

And thank You, Lord, for the marvelous gift of God...Salvation...

"For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves,

it is the Gift of God,

Not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Ephesians 2:8-9

Amen.