I Am My Father's Daughter

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

My oldest baby turns 11 tomorrow and, as I would imagine most mothers do, I have been reminiscing about the days leading up to meeting him for the first time. I remember trying to decide on a name, feeling him move in response to my voice, being on bed rest, and I remember the silly baby shower games.

I remember specifically a shower given to me by a wonderful group of teachers from my husband’s school. One of the games we played that day challenged each person to take both a picture of me, and one of my husband, and cut and paste to come up with a guess as to what our baby would look like. The results were nothing short of hideous, and I am thrilled to announce that the real life baby was much more beautiful than those crazy pictures.

Waiting for my son to arrive we often wondered who he would look like. After he was born, everyone had an opinion as to whose nose he had, whose feet he had, who he most resembled. I have been watching him grow for over a decade now, and he is absolutely, without a doubt, his father’s son.

I wonder if Jesus looked at all like his mother. Did he have her eyes, her hands, her hair? He was indeed the Son of God, but as Son of Man certainly he resembled Mary in some ways.

Who do you look like? When you look in the mirror, who do you see? I have been told, and am starting to see more each day, that I look a lot like my mother. I wonder though, who do I look like on the inside? Do I resemble my Heavenly Father in any way? Some days I think I do see a reflection of him in how I teach and nurture my children, but other days I doubt anyone would even know we are even related.

We are not given many details about Jesus physical stature, but his inward appearance we are told much about. It’s this inward appearance that is the spitting image of his Father, full of grace and truth.

When God looks at you, what does he see? Does he see your bruised body? Does he see your sinful mind? Does he see your broken heart? The answer; Yes, he knows every part of you. But also; No, he sees you recreated and made whole through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. He sees you as his original and perfect creation through the eyes of his son.

Do I resemble my Heavenly Father in any way? You better believe it! Because of Jesus, I am absolutely, without a doubt, my Father’s daughter.

Father,

I am so thankful that when you look at me you see Jesus. Show me your grace and truth each day. Make me a true reflection of you, and forgive me when I fail to be the perfect creation you intended me to be. In Jesus’ name, Amen.