Writings by Barri Cae Mallin

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Saturday 05 May 2007 - 12:35:21 "Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?" "You are," replied the mirror.

Many of us might remember this little jingle from Snow White. Snow White is children's fairy tale about jealousy, envy and the murderous heart of Snow White's stepmother. Although the mirror told the Queen that she was the fairest of them all, the mirror noted that Snow White was the most beautiful.

Mirrors. They are everywhere. In the office, in the bathroom, some are found in living rooms, dining rooms, office rooms, boardrooms, cars, foyers, conference rooms, restaurants - everywhere. Mirrors are just glass yet they do give a representation of the item or person appearing before it. Mirrors speak to flattery, vanity, self-love, pre-occupations of one's appearance, and yet mirrors are important for grooming.

The Bible does not speak much about mirrors. The first mention of them is in Exodus 38:8 "Moreover, he made the laver of bronze with its base of bronze, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting." The word in Hebrew for mirror is mar-ah, a word that comes from the Hebrew word 'rah-ah, to see.

Does your mirror talk to you? What does it say? Do you hear it say, "You have something caught between your teeth." How about, "Hmmm, it is time to color your roots." Maybe your mirror says, "You would look better if you had a botox injection." "Maybe you need to get a younger-looking style of bifocals." "You should get a face lift." May I suggest that if your mirror says that to you, it is time to get a new mirror.

Did you know that God has a mirror? It is His Word, the Bible. The mirror of God, His word, reflects God; it reflects God's character. It reflects God's love for you. Spending time in God's word beautifies one's countenance.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Ps. 42:11

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face Prov. 15:13

Blessings are on the head of the righteous Prov. 10:6

The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men [and women] is their gray hair. Prov.20:29

God loves you and wants to tell you:

The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:
"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I
have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. I John 4:4

We love, because He first loved us. I John 4:19


The mirror of God, His word, reflects His peace, His shalom. When we spend time with Him, He gives us the peace that passes human understanding.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
John 14:27

For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,"
Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
Isaiah 54:10

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD,
she shall be praised. Prov. 31:30

To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel; rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God. I Peter 3:3-4

Spending time with the LORD in His word changes you. It changes me. We look upon His character, His beauty of holiness, we desire to be like Him. He changes us, from the inside out.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. I Corin 13:12

So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Ex. 33:11

The beautiful face, the beautiful countenance comes not from a bottle, or a surgeon's knife, or from chemicals or from any source found in the world. The beautiful face comes from looking at God's word, He mirrors Himself back into your life, from the inside out. God made you beautiful. Spend time with Him and let His beauty reflect back into you.

But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses,
whom the LORD knew face to face. Deut. 34:10


Copyright © Barri Cae Mallin.