Image

Image

God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

“BUT, MOM, I’ve already picked out my outfit for picture day.” Jonny’s heaving sobs made his words barely distinguishable.

Eyeing my preschool-age son sprawled across the living room floor, an object of utter despair, I carefully weighed my strategy. “What outfit would make you feel the most handsome today, Jonny?” I asked, kneeling so I could ruffle his hair and rub his back.

In between hiccupping breaths, I heard the whispered words that made me cringe: “My pocketless pants and my sleeveless shirt.”

My son wanted to wear his beloved but slightly ratty black muscle shirt and a pair of black athletic pants sporting a red racing stripe and a strange metallic shimmer.

Swallowing my objection, I told him that he could wear whatever he wanted and watched as his face lit up. He scampered upstairs and returned shortly after with a megawatt smile and an extra spring in his step.

After years of school pictures, that year’s photo remains my favorite. His dapper pose juxtaposed with his 1980s miscreant look is absolute perfection. He is unabashedly Jon at Age Almost 5 wearing what delights him most, and it is obvious. I love him so much, and I love that picture because it is an authentic record of who he was at that age.

As I first gazed at that photo, I felt the Holy Spirit whisper, That’s how God feels about you. Those words are as true for me as they are for you.

We are created in the very image of God, and we are beloved, just as we are. He sees the girl we bury beneath the polished veneer we present to the world, beneath the pretense of makeup, coordinated accessories, and the latest trendy outfit. God sees the barefaced girl who stares back at us each morning in the mirror, and he loves her. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes need that gentle reminder.

Lord, meet me in this moment, reminding me of your deep love—not for what I do or can do, but simply because I am your image bearer. Amen.

-Julie

One Good Step: Write “Made in the Image of God” on several note cards and place them where you will see them.