“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” – Ephesians 2:4-5

I recently read the following story in a daily devotional written by Nicky and Pippa Gumbel:

A man was having his portrait painted by a successful artist. When the portrait was finished, it was unveiled. The man was most unhappy with the result. When asked whether he liked it, he replied, ‘I don’t think it does me justice.’ To which the artist replied, ‘Sir, it is not justice you need, but mercy!’

What does your heart and soul long for? When we dwell on what makes us look ‘good,’ we miss out on what really matters. God loves us. Not our looks. He wants our heart and cares little about our hairdo!

Never Trust a Mirror by Erin Hanson:

Never trust a mirror,
For the mirror always lies,
It makes you think that all your worth,
Can be seen from the outside.
Never trust a mirror,
It only shows you skin deep,
You can’t see how your eyelids flutter,
When you’re drifting off to sleep.
It doesn’t show you what he sees,
When you’re only being you,
Or how your eyes just light up,
When you’re loving what you do,
It doesn’t capture when your smiling,
Where no one else can see
And your reflection cannot tell you,
Everything you mean to me,
Never trust a mirror,
For it only shows your skin,
And if you think that it dictates your worth,
It’s time you looked within.

~ Mark Knapp – Beck’s Chaplain