Dear Friends,

Who do you see when you look in the mirror? Your reflection changes over the years, not just in aging looks but also in identity. You may look in the mirror and see a mother/father, or a daughter/son, an employee of a company, a member of a church, a friend, someone who is hurting, someone who is sick, a husband/wife, a student. Sometimes that identity is marked by a uniform or other apparel we are wearing. Who we see in the mirror is a reflection of a body, a person, a child of God.

Another interesting thought in all of this is that our reflection goes beyond the mirror and what we see .. Reflection can also be a behavior. When I was growing up as PK (preacher's kid) I understood that my behavior was a reflection of my father and our family. As teens many of us were probably reminded that "actions speak louder than words", as we would head out with friends on those wonderful week-end evenings. As time has marched on, I have seen many different reflections in the mirror, and there will be many more new ones.

So today, when we look in the mirror, I would like us to think about what we see. This is what I would hope that we all see: One who has been given the new birth of water and of the Spirit, that has been clothed with the robe of Christ's righteousness that covers all of our sin, an heir of all the treasures of heaven in the one holy Christian and apostolic Church, a member of God's church here on earth, hearing His Word, receiving His gifts, and proclaiming the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. (Taken from LSB service of baptism)

We see a child of God in the mirror and reflect the presence of Jesus and His love in our lives. In Paul's letter to the Philippians he encourages all to "shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life" (2: 15) I encourage us all to shine with brightness as we reflect the love of Christ in our homes, community, places of work and school, and wherever we be. I pray that what we do is a reflection of who we are as a child of God and shows forth His glory.

Reflecting with you,

Cindy