Wonderstruck #10 : Reflection

Today is Day #2 of the 21 Days of Wonder challenge over at Margaret Feinburg's blog

 Today's challenge is around the theme of "Reflection"

One of my favorite things to do when all of my brothers, dad and grandpa are in one spot is to take the classic "generations" picture. I love these pictures because there is something special about being a reflection of somebody else. As I raise my boys, I see characteristics of my grandpa in both Max and Deacon. I see my dad in them and myself as well.  

There is something incredible about lining up all four generations of Shimer men! It is not because Shimer men are that great. We are pretty incredible to be sure :) But I think the reason this is so important to me and other families that take part in the same photo-op tradition is that it connects with something within our soul on a much deeper level.

(Genesis 1:27)

[27] So God created man in his own image, 

in the image of God he created him;  

male and female he created them.

We were made in the image of God. When we look at humans, compared to all of the rest of nature, humans are unique. We have reason, we have emotion, we have a desire to be in relationships, we love, we are artistic and create things. All of these characteristics are a REFLECTION of who God is. We are made in his image and therefore desire to be a reflection (whether consciously or subconsciously) of Him. We are made to reflect his glory, everything good about Him we want to shine out to a dark world!

I love to see the reflection of the Shimer legacy passed down from one generation to the next, a legacy that says work hard, play harder, give much and enjoy much. Even more I love to be a part of the reflection of the legacy/image of God as well.

I am wonderstruck that God would desire for us to be his image-bearers. Like my youngest son, Deacon (in the below picture) we just make the whole thing look silly. God knew that; he knew we would mess up the "picture" but he wants us to belong to Him. Not because we are great but because when we mess up it makes much of Him. He accepts us with all of our quirks and flaws.  This kind of love, acceptance, grace needs to be passed on to the world!  He calls us to go and be his ambassadors, to reflect him to a hurting, lonely, and dark world. Shine bright. Reflect Him!