Friday, July 25, 2014

Just Beginning


Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17  (NIV)

Reflected in the mirror, those worldly-blue eyes,
Exquisitely lined, eyelashes thickened,
China-blue like a porcelain doll,
"It finishes the look,"
She said, applying the touch of pink, just so, 
To lips already as perfect as a freshly picked peach.

A painted dress-to-impress mask for all the world to see.

I tried it.
the lipstick and the gloss
And just couldn't master the skill
Of leaving bits of pink on straws
And glasses
And napkins
And boyfriends.

Apparently I wasn't finished enough.
Or pretty enough
Or dressed enough
Or polished enough
Or skinny enough
Or smart enough
Or easy enough.

Or perfect enough for all the world to see.

Years.
It took years for me to realize
That I would never be enough
By myself.
That I thought finished meant success
Meant perfection and polish
An end to the journey
But it doesn't.

"It is finished," He said from the cross.

But it wasn't.
It was just beginning
He gave up his spirit 
For us
Because no matter who we are
No matter where we've been
No matter what we've done
We are enough for him.

He finishes us.


Linking today with 5-Minute Friday


10 comments:

  1. Oh, wow, Janet, I can so relate to this. "An end to the journey..." I'm always looking and waiting for the end.

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    1. It's like the kids in math class - they always wanted to get to the answers without thinking about how they got there. Sometimes the journey is more important than the finish. How you run the race is more important than winning. I don't think our journeys will end - they'll always be a new beginning. That being said - I am SO thankful for grace and new beginnings! Thank you for visiting.

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  2. Visiting from FMF. And I have to say that I love this. I cannot tell you how often I've felt those same feelings of inadequacy, as though I think God messed up when He created me and I have to do my hardest to fix the mistake. I forget that He is the ultimate perfecter of our lives. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. Thank you, Meagan. For some reason, the vision of my roommate from years ago, trying to teach me about the 'finishing touch' of lipstick, came into my head with this prompt. The rest went where thoughts go before editing, really before thinking. I was surprised at where they took me. Sometimes I feel like a pretender in my life...I am SO very thankful that I know my Jesus walks beside me, that God didn't mess up, and that He will always forgive my messups... I am still learning. God is the ultimate perfecter, isn't he? I'm glad you could visit.

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  3. This was such a unique and powerful perspective on finishing, because it seems as thought some endings are blessings in disguise and you brought that concept to life this week. I look forward to reading more of what you have to say in upcoming weeks.
    Best. <3

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    1. Thank you, Layne. I believe that - endings are blessings in disguise. I choose to believe that because how else do you find the joy? Except through Jesus? Have a wonderful weekend.

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  4. Oh Janet, I love your take on the prompt this week! I am so glad you let Him lead you... yes - we are enough because He finishes us! I love this!

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  5. This is beautiful and so true. I teach high school students and am so saddened by the girls who do anything to fit in or impress others. Thank you so much for sharing.

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    1. You definitely live on the front of a difficult battle. In our short time with the youth group here, my daughter and I were witness to some extremely positive and confident girls who spoke of how hard it is to navigate their world of image, and grades, and expectations. I have taught 5th-grade for the past 17 years (late bloomer teacher...), and I see the same thing, even at the elementary school level. I write because I am compelled sometimes - this was one of those posts. Thank you for understanding.

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I know we probably haven't met in person, but I believe that the sharing of our ideas and thoughts, sometimes our hearts and souls, makes us more than strangers. I would like to say friends. Thank you for taking the time to contribute to my little space - I appreciate you.