Fun house mirror or true reflection?

If you found yourself standing in front of a fun house mirror and what you saw was a very distorted view, would you pray to heal that picture? Or, would you laugh at how funny you look, not at all dismayed, because you know that is not the real you? How many times are we presented with a 'fun house' picture of ourselves or someone else and we buy into that false representation?

Jesus was never fooled by what appeared before him as a distorted version of God's perfect child, His very image and likeness. His disciples traveled with him for three years and witnessed first hand how he dealt with those distorted views and helped suffers see themselves as they really were and had been all along. Even those closest to him did not fully understand his teachings. I was at a talk recently where his followers were referred to as the 'duh-ciples' with their many 'duh' moments. It was a funny reference but I have to admit to 'duh' moments of my own.

Peter saw Jesus raise Jairus' daughter from what appeared to be death. They had been called to the scene, but stopped along the way to heal a woman who had an infirmity for many years. The father must have felt some impatience as Jesus healed her, especially when members of his household came to tell him that his daughter was dead. Before he could even formulate any resentment that had Jesus gotten there sooner she would have been saved, Jesus told him to fear not, all was not lost.

They arrive to find a crowd of professional mourners doing their utmost to be hired for the funeral, a common practice at that time. But Jesus dismissed them, putting them all out and bringing that chaos to quiet order. He allowed her parents and his disciples to remain. Then he took her hand and spoke to her. That would have been pointless is she had truly been dead. He knew her life was in her and she responded to his words. Years later, when Jesus was no longer with them, Peter would be called to a similar scene.

A wonderful woman named Tabitha/Dorcas had been much beloved for her many good works and selfless giving. Here too Peter arrives to find a crowd of weeping mourners. Perhaps remembering what Jesus had done, he puts them all out. Then he prays. Turning to the body, he speaks to her, probably aware of her inability to be separated from Life, God, and with every expectation that she can hear him. She does, and she opens her eyes. He is able to present her to her friends alive and well.

That same Christ, the action of divine Love, is present to calm every scene of chaos and grief. It speaks to each of us, fully expecting us to be able to hear and respond to the message of divine Principle, the law of everpresent good meeting every human need. As we pray for those affected by the recent storms on the east coast, we can know that what is being presented is not the true reflection. We can silence the weeping and wipe away the tears. Help is at hand.