See Through the Eyes of Grace
During last night’s small group discussion on 1 Corinthians 6:12-14 and 19-20, one member made a profound statement: “We need to give ourselves grace.” This reminder immediately brought to mind the story of Elisa.
Elisa was an amazing woman who always put her community first. She worked tirelessly to help others but was very hard on herself. Every day, she would stand in front of the mirror and criticize herself, only seeing her flaws where others see beauty.
One night, while getting ready for bed, Elisa found a sprayer next to her mirror with a note that said, “Spray and see through the eyes of grace.” Puzzled, Elisa picked up the sprayer and gently misted the mirror’s surface. As the fine droplets settled, the mirror transformed before her eyes. Instead of her usual reflection, she saw herself as illuminated from within, radiant and full of life.
Elisa looked at her reflection and saw not only her physical appearance but also her kindness, strength, and dedication to her community. She remembered the times when she stayed up late to help her neighbors, cooked warm meals for the homeless, and comforted those in need. For the first time, Elisa realized that her worth was not determined by her physical appearance or self-judgment. She understood her true value was in the love and compassion she shared with the world. For the first time, she saw her whole self.
As she looked into the mirror, tears filled her eyes. She realized that the mirror was not meant to erase her flaws but rather to show her a different perspective of herself. The mirror helped her see herself through a lens of compassion and grace and recognize the divine craftsmanship that had created her. The transformation brought about by the sprayer made her realize that she was more than her self-doubt and insecurities.
Elisa began using the sprayer every night as a ritual, not to change how she looked but to remind herself of her inner beauty. As time passed, she no longer needed the sprayer to see herself in a positive light. She had learned to appreciate herself through the eyes of grace.
Today, we are constantly bombarded with images and messages that can distort our self-perception. Social media, advertisements, and even our own inner critics often push us towards unrealistic standards of beauty and success, leading to a cycle of self-doubt and dissatisfaction.
The moment she sprays the mirror and sees her true reflection, not only her physical appearance but also her inner qualities and strength, she realizes that she is not bound by societal expectations. This act represents a realization that our worth is not limited to our physical form or the accomplishments that the world acknowledges.
1 Corinthians 6:12-14, 19-20 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This is not just a figure of speech but a call to action. In a society where the body is often either objectified or neglected, recognizing its sanctity becomes a courageous, radical act of faith and self-love.
Remember that our true worth is deeply rooted in our inner spirit and the love we give the world. We must recognize the divinity within us and honor it in our daily lives by taking care of our physical health, eating well, exercising, sleeping enough, nurturing our souls, and living lives that reflect the beauty and grace of our creation. We should always acknowledge our inner beauty and the love we share with the world, accept ourselves, and cherish the body and spirit we’ve been blessed with.
Pray with me: In moments when I look at the mirror of self-doubt, disappointment, and dissatisfaction, help me to see myself in the mirror of grace as You see me, whole and perfectly loved. Guide me to cherish my body and soul with love and gratitude. Strengthen me to be gentle and compassionate to myself and to others, reflecting Your grace in all I do. Amen
Written by Rev. Kay Dubuisson
Elisa was an amazing woman who always put her community first. She worked tirelessly to help others but was very hard on herself. Every day, she would stand in front of the mirror and criticize herself, only seeing her flaws where others see beauty.
One night, while getting ready for bed, Elisa found a sprayer next to her mirror with a note that said, “Spray and see through the eyes of grace.” Puzzled, Elisa picked up the sprayer and gently misted the mirror’s surface. As the fine droplets settled, the mirror transformed before her eyes. Instead of her usual reflection, she saw herself as illuminated from within, radiant and full of life.
Elisa looked at her reflection and saw not only her physical appearance but also her kindness, strength, and dedication to her community. She remembered the times when she stayed up late to help her neighbors, cooked warm meals for the homeless, and comforted those in need. For the first time, Elisa realized that her worth was not determined by her physical appearance or self-judgment. She understood her true value was in the love and compassion she shared with the world. For the first time, she saw her whole self.
As she looked into the mirror, tears filled her eyes. She realized that the mirror was not meant to erase her flaws but rather to show her a different perspective of herself. The mirror helped her see herself through a lens of compassion and grace and recognize the divine craftsmanship that had created her. The transformation brought about by the sprayer made her realize that she was more than her self-doubt and insecurities.
Elisa began using the sprayer every night as a ritual, not to change how she looked but to remind herself of her inner beauty. As time passed, she no longer needed the sprayer to see herself in a positive light. She had learned to appreciate herself through the eyes of grace.
Today, we are constantly bombarded with images and messages that can distort our self-perception. Social media, advertisements, and even our own inner critics often push us towards unrealistic standards of beauty and success, leading to a cycle of self-doubt and dissatisfaction.
The moment she sprays the mirror and sees her true reflection, not only her physical appearance but also her inner qualities and strength, she realizes that she is not bound by societal expectations. This act represents a realization that our worth is not limited to our physical form or the accomplishments that the world acknowledges.
1 Corinthians 6:12-14, 19-20 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This is not just a figure of speech but a call to action. In a society where the body is often either objectified or neglected, recognizing its sanctity becomes a courageous, radical act of faith and self-love.
Remember that our true worth is deeply rooted in our inner spirit and the love we give the world. We must recognize the divinity within us and honor it in our daily lives by taking care of our physical health, eating well, exercising, sleeping enough, nurturing our souls, and living lives that reflect the beauty and grace of our creation. We should always acknowledge our inner beauty and the love we share with the world, accept ourselves, and cherish the body and spirit we’ve been blessed with.
Pray with me: In moments when I look at the mirror of self-doubt, disappointment, and dissatisfaction, help me to see myself in the mirror of grace as You see me, whole and perfectly loved. Guide me to cherish my body and soul with love and gratitude. Strengthen me to be gentle and compassionate to myself and to others, reflecting Your grace in all I do. Amen
Written by Rev. Kay Dubuisson
Posted in Mid-Week Devotional
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