Thumbs Up!
Julia Bettencourt


"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: " Psalm 139:23

I used to very seldom look into the mirror. There's two things most overweight people don't do--mirrors and pose for pictures. After loosing over 100 pounds almost a year ago now, I do find myself looking in the mirror more before I go out the door. At first out of necessity because nothing fit me and everything looked so baggy. I would keep having to try things on to find something that fit. My son, who is now 6, got into the habit to come running, look in the mirror with me, and check out what I'm wearing. He always give me a "thumbs up" no matter how I look. Of course moms always look beautiful to six year olds.

It dawned on me one day that I should probably look into a spiritual mirror as well. I wonder if I'd get a "thumbs up"? Am I ready spiritually to go out the door in the mornings? Do I care how I look down deep? Not only how others perceive me, but how do I really look when it comes to my life? I decided there are some things I may want to check up on before I go running off with my day.

1.    Straighten My Smile.

Is my smile lopsided? I need to find joy in the Lord to keep it straight. When other's see me, I want them to know that I'm a Christian. I want them to know I've got something more.

"...for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

" 2.    Tuck In My Attitude.

A bad attitude can be like a slip that showing down at the bottom of your dress. It ruins your whole appearance. I have to remember that I am the Lord's and let Him have preeminence. There needs to be more of Him and less of me.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. " Ephesians 2:10

3.    Brush Through My Worries.

Sometimes it's easy to look toward everything planned for the day and get caught up into all the things that need to be accomplished and the specific things that are happening in my life. I have to remember to give it over to the Lord and let Him deal with those things.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:6,7

4.    Smooth Out Any Wrinkles of Ingratitude.

I need to always make it a priority to be thankful right from the start of my day. It gives me that extra polish.

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah." Psalm 68:19

5.    Accessorize With The Word of God.

I need to make it a highlight of my day to start it with God's Word. It will reflect in everything I do that day.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

6.   Slip On My Jacket of Prayer.

I need to take the time to talk to the Lord before I go about my day. I need to commune with Him and seek Him. His power and strength is what I need to sustain me throughout the whole day.

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." Psalm 5:3



Sometimes we don't like looking into the mirror, especially when we look bad. We don't like looking at ourselves when we're not at our best. I think we're probably like that when we're spiritually lacking. We don't like passing by the mirror because we don't want to take the time to see what needs worked on in our lives, but we need to take that deep look in order to put our lives in perspective. Our lives need to be spiritually upkept and in order everyday in we are going to impact the world for Christ.


So, do you think you'd get a "thumbs up" today?