We observe ourselves with much scrutiny. How different would things appear if we looked at ourselves through the same lens that God does?

I just had my picture taken.  Really, no big deal, right?  I'm doing some audio recordings and thought, hey—let's take a picture and I'll put it on my Facebook page. (I'm trying to become social media savvy woman.)  So, a friend took two pictures.

Which I looked at and then deleted.  You're not going to see them.

 (I look like that?  Bummer, man.)

I was not looking at myself through the eyes of Love.  My old lenses of self-contempt and rejection had snuck back on my face.  I didn't even realize it had happened.  They are a familiar fit.

Oh, come, Jesus.  I want to replace my out of date, cracked and unbecoming lenses with yours.  I want, no I need, to see myself through your eyes.  I choose to exchange my lenses of self-hatred with your lenses of mercy, truth, goodness, acceptance and love.

He says, "How beautiful you are, my Darling.  Your eyes are like doves."  How beautiful you are, my Darling.  I am his Darling.  He thinks I'm pretty!  I can feel my heart begin to rise even as I dare to receive this divine exchange!

Oh, to see ourselves only through the lenses of our God's love.  Yes and yes.  That's worth posting.  That's worth framing.  That's worth believing.