life – Amy Linnea

The Lord your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17

The following story is not real in the least, but lives within the imagination of the writer and most likely many of her readers.

I visited her today. “Who?” you ask.

Myself. I wanted to tell her things I’ve learned along the way.

I saw her at 12, standing in front of her bedroom mirror. A shy smile peeked through as she gazed at her reflection.

Twirling around, she frowned, no longer loving what she saw.

I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. Rise above this world and keep your precious eyes focused on Jesus.”

I saw her at 21. Married and expecting her first baby as she wrapped up her college degree.

She glowed, yet seemed impatient at not looking pregnant then weeks later was completely miserable at looking way too pregnant.

I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. This too shall past while you keep your precious eyes focused on Jesus.”

I saw her at 29, surrounded by her four little children all clamoring for guidance and attention.

She smiled at each one, wishing for at just one moment of quiet.

I wanted to jump into the room, kissing each of the four soft cheeks one more time.

And to her, I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. Embrace this time as they will grow so fast. And keep your precious eyes focused on Jesus.”

I saw her at 40, surrounded by her precious family. Facing so many difficulties, she looked worried and sad.

I wanted to give her a big hug, telling her to hang on. That life will become so good again. I promise.

I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. Keep your precious eyes focused on Jesus while He wipes every tear and leads you exactly where you should go.”

I saw her in her 80’s. She was standing next to her family, smiling at the crowd surrounding her.

I wanted to whisper, “You’re so beautiful and strong. You did it. Keep your beautiful eyes focused on Jesus while your godly legacy continues to point others to God.”

Sigh. Wouldn’t it be incredible to visit ourselves? To remind our younger selves with what’s important? To stand on the sidelines cheering us on? To see us near the end of our life, knowing we did good? Knowing we stayed true to God?

Thinking about ourselves, it’s not always easy, as we walk where God leads us. Not easy to remember what’s important in the moments of our life.

But God is with us each step of the way. While we cannot go back in time, or jump forward for that matter, we can remember what we wished we knew and carry ourselves forward as if we did.

Let us live first within our identity as God’s precious child and focus our beautiful eyes only on Jesus, our Savior and dearest Friend.