Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, I Am My Mother After All.

It is no surprise by now that my mother is my best friend.We are completely opposite in some very key areas, we are alike in all the onesthat count, and we bring out the best (and I guess worst) in each other incertain instances that take me by surprise.

Of course, as I am sure most daughters of mothers (yes ladies, that would be all of us) can attest to, there was that one moment whereI realized, “oh my gracious, I’m turning into her!” It started harmlesslyenough, when I realized I wiped the sink down in my first dorm room the way Isubconsciously watched my mother do so many times. As time went on though, Ifound myself doing things- saying things- SOUNDING just like her. I saw a signonce that said, “sometimes I open my mouth and my mother comes out.” I smirkedonly because I’ve never read anything more true.

I’m going to be honest- as a grown adult with my very ownjob and bills (hooray!...), it is so easy to be best friends with my mother from8 hours away. I miss her, I cry for her, and I look forward to our dailyconversations. But it took a little adjusting when she recently came to staywith me for a week and a half.  How couldshe not know to turn the lights off? I don’t think I have EVER turned the lighton in my spare bedroom. How dare she move my expertly placed decorative pillowson the couch. And, gasp! She tried my eye cream??!! I’m not sure how Ms. EsteeLauder would feel about that.

To figure out the level of my ridculousness, I shared thesethings with the always level-headed Shane. Not even half-way through mydramatic, adjective-ridden spiel, however, he just couldn’t help the smirk. The smirk quickly turned into laughter and I just stared at him. “What is sofunny!?” I said, gaping. “Honey,” he began, still laughing, but a gentle handon my shoulder. “You act JUST like her.”

So there it was. As a 24-year-old woman who prided herselfon independence, whit, savvy shopping, and promptness, there was no escapingthose little quirky quirks of my mother. They were swimming in my veins. Therewas no alternate exit. Pass “go” and collect 500 genes.  

On a recent trip to visit her family in Pennsylvania (see a previous post about this wonderful place here), mymother sent me a picture. It simply said, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, I am mymother after all.”

So, ladies, if it hasn’t happened yet- take heart. It iscoming…and probably quicker than you would think.  You will wake up one day, look in the mirror,and realize that face staring back at you is not your own. It’s the face, voice,mannerisms, idiosyncrasies, laugh, fashion sense, and dance skills of noneother than mommy dearest.

Good thing I happen to have a mother who is beautiful,charming, fashionable, funny, AND a great dancer.  I certainly lucked out. 

Hearts, Ribs, and a Mansion.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Although I have never claimed to big a huge celebrator of Valentines Day, today has already proven to be a GREAT holiday. I woke up early this morning to take Simon out, and saw something on my windshield! At first, in the dark of the early morning, I thought trash had blown on my car! As I walked closer, I saw that it was a dozen red roses underneath my windshield wipers and a gift bag with the sweetest card (seriously, Shane, where do you always find these great cards!?) and a BEAUTIFUL bracelet I have been wanting! I was quite surprised and full of those giddy, in-love feelings, even at 6 a.m. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, when you know, you know. 

I saw something online the other day about all the things a woman is. How they are strong but caring, persistent, nurturing, fighters, friends, and supporters. Truthfully, I didn’t read very much of those parts because one line grabbed my attention so strongly. 

Woman was made from man’s rib so he can guard her heart. 

Think about that for a minute. Think about the role of your ribcage… it covers your heart! Your ribs protect the heart beneath them, not because they are better or have a more important job, or even call the shots in any way. A heart knows it is safe beneath the ribs because they have proven their strength against outside danger. Without the ribs, a heart is exposed, vulnerable, susceptible to harm. 

We know that God spoke to his people in examples and metaphors they could easily understand. My favorite of these is in John 14:2- In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

At the time this was written, if a young man wanted to marry a woman, he settled a dowry with her father and then he went away. He built an addition onto his father’s house that he thought would be suitable for his betrothed. When finished, her father would come and approve that it was good enough for his daughter. Meanwhile, the girl had no idea when her betrothed would come back for her. So she would keep a candle in her window so that he would know where she was and that she was anxiously awaiting him. When the addition was finished being built, the young man and all other young men in the town would run up to her house in the middle of the night with music and dancing and loud cymbals! They were announcing his arrival and she would finally be with her love after so much time of wondering. 

When Jesus said this to his people, he knew it was a language that they would understand. “I am going to prepare a place for you.” The groom is anxiously waiting to bring his bride to the mansion He has built for her. And when He does come back for her, it will be a loud homecoming! 

1 Thessalonians 4:16- For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.

This is why I love the saying I heard so much. Yes, woman is strong, can endure tremendous pain, can fight for what she wants and still have the touch to sooth and comfort. But we need protection. We need someone with strength and armor when we just can’t fight anymore. That is why Eve was created from Adams ribs… not only is she a part of him, she needs him, too. Her heart needs the comfort of his ribs. 

Someone I trust very much once told me, “Don’t look for the cracks in his armor. Look for someone who will guard and protect your heart.” 

Men aren’t perfect, and I sure am glad they don’t expect women to be, either. But what I know for sure- when you find a man who does everything in his power to look out for you, protect you from harm, and love you like you have never been loved before- you found a man for life. Because a heart would never leave the comfort of the ribs protecting it, and the ribs would never do anything to leave their sacred post.

This is what true love is. God, as always, nailed it right on the head.