We watch the Today Show, Good Morning America or Fox and Friends to try and find ways to improve our lives. We buy hundreds of dollars worth of organization items to better our homes, watch countless hours of HGTV and Magnolia to improve the decor of our rooms. We make resolutions to improve our health or quit bad habits. But yet we still struggle to feel “right.” We keep trying to attain the unattainable image that is shown in glossy magazines, whether that be how we look, how we feel, the perfect house, family or whatever else we judge ourselves by. This is a disordered view. We are made the image and likeness of God, not man, so why do we do this to ourselves? Mother Iliana gives us a new challenge in The Light of His Eyes: Journeying from Self-Contempt to the Father’s Delight. She explains the book came from a time a frustration with prayer and unworthiness, but the Lord is the only way we can feel complete, perfect and loved, in the light of His Eyes.
Made in his image
Say this statement and mean it:
God made someone really special when he made me!
Write it on the bathroom mirror, on the fridge or in the car—wherever you see it daily and can remind yourself who you are.
Brokenness doesn’t equal unlovable
We all have sinned, and are surrounded by other sinners. We feel shame for where we fell short and anger towards others who have hurt us. But we also have in common is God is our Father and he loves us. We all are a child of God.
You are an ambassador of Jesus
It might sound silly, but Jesus sent us out to continue to do his work. To feed the hungry, cloth the poor, and to preach the Gospel. How we act, dress, love all should be as Jesus did.
Hold out your hand
We all believe that we can do it on our own, become holy, and then we are done, right? Nope. Instead, we need to reach up like a child and hold God’s hand. As our Father, He will guide us, help us, protect us. It is something we must strive to do every day.
Grace like a monsoon
Ever been in such a downpour you can’t even see what’s in front of you? Now try to catch the drops…that is what God’s grace is like, so much poured out we can’t even fathom to catch it all. From the beginning of time, to the present, to what He has in store for you in the future, He is constantly pouring grace from Heaven upon you to bless you and protect you.
The Light of His Eyes: Journeying from Self-Contempt to the Father’s Delight, from Mother Iliana, is a beautiful, contemplative guide to more fully understand the Father’s love and Jesus’ heart. Each chapter has a beautiful full color icon to help set your heart on the beautiful words to ponder. The chapter then ends with a poem to pray with. Mother Iliana is humble and shares her faith journey as a daughter of the Lord. It is a wonderful way to spend a few minutes each morning or before falling asleep to spend in the arms of Jesus, understanding who you are—a child of his.
Featured image: Pixabay. Free for commercial use. No attribution required.