Reflections

On the face we see, and the one we're still becoming...

Jun 05, 2026

a mirror sitting on top of a table under a cloudy sky — Photo by Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash

Summer!

Praise the God of our seasons, it’s finally Summer here!!!

We are celebrating that fact with all the outdoor upkeep that the cool, rainy spring didn’t allow — tomatoes, peppers, and flowers planted; deck cleaned, stained, and set up; dead trees chainsawed, and now some mulching in progress. You, too, I bet?

Update:

Quick health update: I am awaiting a surgery date for sinuses to alleviate the ongoing infection and chronic cough (caused by an illness and dental infection we cleaned up in February).

It looks like this will occur after our vacation later in June, so I will be flying and praying my head doesn’t explode (!!) lol. All joking aside, prayers are much appreciated, as it’s been a long four months of fighting and dragging this infected head around.

For whatever reason, God allowed this progression instead of bestowing a quicker healing. When discouragement tries to creep in, I remind myself to keep leaning on the promises of Jesus. He never leaves us alone, friends, and meets us right in the middle of our messes.

I’ve found comfort in resting in His peace and presence, in knowing that He works all things out for good and knows what’s best for us (even in unfamiliar medical issues).

Meanwhile, I know He is molding and shaping me more like Jesus through it all. We just gotta keep our eyes on Him! Remember our mantra—”Eyes on Christ!”

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

(Rom. 5: 3-5, ESV)

Poetry Intro:

I didn't intend to write a poem this week. I just looked in the mirror, and couldn’t stop noodling while I spread the mulch. What started as a small moment of honesty turned into something a bit bigger... I guess that means that this is a “Reflection on a reflection of our reflection!” Ha! (How’s that for some word-working!)

REFLECTIONS

Mirror reflects features

Surprising to me—

Wrinkles and lines

Etching hard years

Clearly displayed in

Frowns and fears;

Creeping grey hair

Now wiry and spare.

A few unneeded

requiring a pluck—

(All a bit much

This age run amok!)

Another glance

And what’s that I see?

Dark circling rings

Health under siege

Immune system down

Means burdens that stack

Multiple systems

Gone out of whack

When will I look

and finally discover

That my mirror reflects You

Instead of this other?

Your eyes that see others

Your ears that hear cries

Your mind full of wisdom

And arms that hold sighs

Your humble heart serving

And comfort for mourners

Your courage for battles

And solace for loners;

Oh, when will I look

And finally see

That my mirror reflects You

And so. much. less. me.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory."

2 Cor. 3:18 (NIV)

woman in blue and white floral shirt holding her face — Let us reflect You, Lord!

What do you think? Can you relate to this reflection on our reflections?!?

For Worship:

Jeremy Riddle’s “We Crown You “— Live in the Prayer Room

(A song to take you right into the throne room!)

*Photos by 1) Viktor Forgacs and 2)Anastasia Sineokaya and 3) Carolina Veronez on Unsplash

Jen Niemann / Soul Singings

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