I'm exactly who and where I'm supposed to be.
And I'm learning how to be free.
Bonds have been snapping. God is at work in my life.
I spent two weeks on an island with no mirrors. I was working as a cook, and I loved every minute of it.
I went with the intention of serving, but I didn't expect to experience such tremendous healing.
Let me back-track:
I was cooking for Manitoba Pioneer Camp, which is located on an island (McKinnon) It was an opportunity to combine my love for God, serving, and food. I had no idea what to expect, but I found home.
For one of the first times in my life, I discovered how fulfilling it is to be using your gifts and passions for the glory of God. I loved working in the kitchen, and when the chef found out baking is one of my passions, I was put in charge of producing cookies, brownies, cake, and squares. It was exhausting, but life-giving to watch the enjoyment on people's faces when they tried my handiwork.
I fell in love with the island, and the community. I had rousing discussions with fellow Christians, and started some deep friendships.
God used the island to heal me. I've become more comfortable around bugs. They're still not my favorite thing, but I don't scream anymore when I see a spider. Fish flies can now chill on my finger, with out my having a heart attack.
Body Image. This was a biggie. One of the first things someone told me upon arriving, was that I didn't need to live up to any expectations. I embraced that. It's fairly easy to let go of body image stuff when the only mirrors are cracked, and about 3 inches wide. I was too busy serving, praying, journaling, swimming, walking, running, kayaking, canoeing, and laughing, too care about what I looked like.
I didn't wear makeup for two weeks. It was fantastic to roll out of bed, put my hair up, and go to work in the kitchen. I was completely accepted the way I was. It may sound silly, but I really, finally, truly understood that people like me for me. Not my clothes, makeup, hair, or anything superficial.
It's my personality. My smile. It's the spirit of God shining through me. I give awesome hugs. At camp I became closer, if not totally, the person God created me to be.
So now, I challenge you: How much of a hold does the mirror have on you? Your challenge (and mine; back at home it's harder to avoid mirrors, since they're everywhere!) is to minimize the time and energy spent in front of a mirror, because the saying if true: "People won't remember what clothes you wore, or how your hair was styled. They'll remember how you made them feel." I need to be constantly reminded of this.
How am I affecting the people around me? Do I listen to them? Do I demonstrate that I care for them?
My personal goal is to spend less time in front of a mirror, and more time investing in others, living out 1 Corinthians 13 (AKA the love chapter)
Star
So now, I challenge you: How much of a hold does the mirror have on you? Your challenge (and mine; back at home it's harder to avoid mirrors, since they're everywhere!) is to minimize the time and energy spent in front of a mirror, because the saying if true: "People won't remember what clothes you wore, or how your hair was styled. They'll remember how you made them feel." I need to be constantly reminded of this.
How am I affecting the people around me? Do I listen to them? Do I demonstrate that I care for them?
My personal goal is to spend less time in front of a mirror, and more time investing in others, living out 1 Corinthians 13 (AKA the love chapter)
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes,what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Blessings,Star
