Mirror, Mirror On The Wall.

We all know the phrase, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” It’s a question about outward appearance, about beauty. But have you ever paused to think about what the mirror is truly showing you? We often stand in front of it, scanning the surface, checking for imperfections, flaws, or signs of aging. We see what’s visible-the tired eyes, the uneven eyebrows, the frown lines, or maybe the extra weight that we’re carrying.

But what if we’ve been focusing on the wrong things? And in truth… we know we are.

What We Should see in the Reflection.

I’ll admit, I can get caught up in the surface-level observations: “Oh, there’s that wrinkle I didn’t notice before,” or “I didn’t know my hair had so much gray in it!” The mirror tends to highlight the parts of ourselves we wish were different or “better.” It tells us stories of time passing and challenges faced. We focus on what’s visible, because that’s what we can control, or so we think.

I could get so caught up in this. I’ve bought the creams, done the guasha, rubbed on the rose hip oil, tried face exercises, and even bought light therapy machines. Let’s not forget the waist-high suck-it-all-in underwear. I’ve wrapped up my bulging stomach like a project that needs “fixing.” All of this in an attempt to fight the natural process of aging-to maintain the reflection I see in the mirror, and maybe even feel better about how others might perceive me. But honestly? It’s me judging me.

What Others See

What’s fascinating is that while we focus so much on our own reflection, other people see us in a completely different light. They see not just the surface but the heart-the way we carry ourselves, the kindness we show, the love we share, the strength we display in moments of weakness. They see the transformation that has nothing to do with age or appearance. It’s not about what we look like, but about how we reflect the beauty of what’s happening on the inside.

Sometimes, we may feel invisible, thinking no one notices the little things we do, the quiet acts of service, or the prayers we offer up in private. But others see it. They see the light that shines through our lives, even when we can’t always see it ourselves. It’s like that old saying, “People don’t remember what you said, but they remember how you made them feel.”

The mirror reflects our physical appearance, but others see the transformation of our soul-the growth, the healing, the changes that are happening on the inside.

And it Makes Me Wonder…

As I think about what others see, it makes me wonder how God sees me. If I am caught up in what I look like or how others perceive me on the surface, what does it mean when God looks at me? Does He focus on my flaws? The things I can’t fix or change on my own? Or does He look at my heart, at my intentions, my willingness to follow Him even when I stumble?

I think of 1 Samuel 16:7, where God tells Samuel, “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” God doesn’t see the surface-level imperfections I’m so concerned with. He sees the deeper, truer me. He sees the parts that no one else can-my struggles, my fears, my hopes, and my desire to love Him.

He sees the beauty in me that is being transformed, day by day, by His grace. The reflection I see in the mirror is temporary and changing, but the beauty He sees in me is eternal.

The Truth of the Reflection

For years, I’ve seen it differently. I’ve seen my wrinkles and gray hairs as signs of getting older, but I’ve come to realize they are earned. They tell a story and reflect the slow growth of gaining wisdom. My body—this body that I sometimes judge-is the same body that carried my babies and endured a lifetime of trauma. It tells of a life of learning, loving, and trusting the One who gave me this body to carry me for as long as necessary.

I no longer look at these “imperfections” with disdain. They are my reminders that I’ve lived, that I’ve loved, and that I’ve grown. My skin, my stretch marks, my laugh lines-they are part of the story of who I am and how far I’ve come. They are not things to be hidden or covered but embraced, because they are proof of a life well-lived.

So I no longer cover my face with makeup everyday, spending hours trying to smooth out every line. I don’t spend countless minutes in front of the mirror straightening my hair or blowing it out. I don’t let the pressure to conform to society’s standard of beauty hold me captive. Instead, I just show up. I show up as I am—wrinkles, gray hairs, and all. Because I know that the true beauty lies within.

I Look at Others

I look at other people in my life—people who can’t take a compliment, people who worry about their weight, their nose, their teeth—whatever it is-and I think, You have no idea how beautiful you are. I see them as a whole. I see their hearts, their kindness, the strength they carry, the wisdom they’ve earned. It breaks my heart when I see them focus so much on their “flaws,” because to me, they are complete, stunning, and worthy of love just as they are.

It’s like they can’t see past the surface, past what they perceive as imperfections, and I wish I could help them realize that they are stunning just as they are. How often do we forget that the things we judge in ourselves are often the things others admire in us?

I needed to write this because I think our reflection can often hold us captive. We can get so wrapped up in what we see in the mirror that it dictates how we feel, how we think, and how we move in the world. But lovely, you are set free. The mirror is not the master of your worth. And you were created with purpose, with value that goes far beyond what is visible in that frame.

The next time you stand in front of the mirror, take a deep breath and reflect on who you really are-inside and out. You are not just the reflection in the mirror. You are more. You are a work of art, uniquely designed by a loving Creator who sees you for who you truly are. You are beautiful, inside and out, and no reflection can change that.

Love, Sarah xx.

Thank you for showing up every post and supporting this space in any way you can. It means so much that you continue to share with those that may need to be encouraged, that you comment and write pieces of your story, and that you come along for the journey even when I post a lot!

I adore you all…