CHAPTER 6
Reflecting Your
Father’s Image

As they pulled up to their driveway of her home, Briana wondered why the porch light was off, and none of the house lights seemed to be on. Her mom always left at least one light on whenever they planned to arrive home after nightfall. “Did you forget to leave a light on, Mom?” she asked.

Her mother turned off the car. “I sure did. I guess we were in such a hurry when we left I just didn’t even think about it. Anyway, Ashley should be in there. I can’t imagine why she would just sit in the dark.”

“She’s probably watching a movie. You know, no lights give you the full movie theater effect.”

She shook her head. “I guess so. Here. Take my keys. Go ahead and unlock the door for me, please. I’ll start grabbing bags out of the back.”

Briana walked up to the front door of her house and struggled to get the keys in the door without any light. When she finally wiggled the key into the lock, she opened the door. She reached to turn on the entryway light and was shocked by what she heard and saw.

“SURPRISE!” her friends yelled.

“What are you guys doing here?” she said

Jessica, Ashley, and her closest friends from the cheer squad were standing in front of her with hot pink party hats on. The confetti and streamers they had thrown at her when she walked through the door lined the floor, and balloons floated across the ceiling, partially obstructing the banner that read: Happy 13^th Birthday, Briana!

Her mother walked in behind her and then gave Briana a hug.

“Happy birthday, baby. I hope you enjoy your evening.”

She squeezed her mom and then looked at Jessica. “I can’t believe you guys got me like this! You totally lied to me! I thought we were going out tomorrow night!”

“Well, duh! They wouldn’t call it a surprise party if you knew about it, right?”

Briana shook her pointer finger in Jessica’s face. “That’s alright. Just wait. Payback, my friend, payback!”

Jessica smiled. “I love you, girly. Happy birthday,” she said, hugging Briana.

“Okay, okay. Attention, attention.” Ashley jokingly cleared her throat. “Since our guest of honor has arrived, the party can officially begin.” Briana stood beside her sister, holding her hand and beaming with excitement as she surveyed the twelve guests who had come to celebrate her birthday.

Ashley continued. “So here’s how it’s going to work. We’re going to move from where we are now to the game room, which we have transformed for our special occasion tonight. We all know what a fashion diva Briana is, so if you don’t have a flair for fashion, then this party is not for you!” The twelve girls screamed, giddy with excitement. “But if you are ready for this glam slam in honor of Bree’s birthday, then let’s hit the salon!”

“The what?” Briana asked, laughing.

Jessica grabbed Briana’s hand and pulled her toward the upstairs game room. “Just come on! You’ll see!” The rest of the pack followed them, and the blaring music Ashley turned on soon overpowered Jessica’s words, forcing Briana to read her lips. “Are you ready?” Jessica mouthed.

“Ready!” Briana screamed.

Jessica pushed open the French doors to the game room.

Briana’s jaw dropped in amazement. “Are you kidding me?”

The once plain game room was vibrantly decorated like a beauty salon! In the middle of the room was a lounging area with two swirl-shaped sofas and a glass table. The walls were lined with salon style hooded hair dryers. In two of the corners of the room were a huge round mirror, and a white table with all kinds of styling tools like hair spray, curling irons, and hairbrushes. One corner was decked out as a manicure station, and the other had a huge massaging chair with a foot spa at the base for performing pedicures. Sweet!

Briana’s mom, Austin’s mother, and their cheer coaches, Mrs. Hines and Mrs. Ward, were all dressed up like professional beauty stylists wearing fancy wigs, voluminous eyelashes, and white salon coats. Briana’s mom had even thrown on a pair of crazy, colorful eyeglasses and a hot pink wig styled like a big beehive! She peeked over the top of her glasses and greeted the girls in a funny sounding French accent.

“Hello, ladies. Welcome to Salon Bree. We are happy to serve you today as you prepare for a night of fashionable fun.” She looked at the other three grown-ups in the room. “Allow me to introduce my team.”

Briana’s mother introduced the women by their fake names for the night and explained that the girls would rotate through four stations in the salon — hair, makeup, nails, and feet. When they were runway ready, Bree’s mom explained, they would choose a designer gown of their choice and walk the red carpet for a photo shoot. “So! Let the luxuriating begin!” she said with a wave of her hand.

Ashley got in on the fun too. She dressed up like a waitress in a café and served the girls chocolate-covered strawberries, sparkling fruit punch, dainty croissant sandwiches, and of course, Briana’s favorite — banana-nut muffins! The older women treated them like royalty, styling their hair, and giving them relaxing facials, manicures, and pedicures. As far as Briana was concerned, it was the best salon in town!

When the girls’ treatments were finished, Briana’s mom directed their attention to a couple of wardrobe racks in the corner of the room. Beautiful dresses of various styles and colors filled the racks.

“Now, ladies,” she said, “you are to pick one designer original to wear when you walk the red carpet.” She still attempted to speak with that crazy French accent.

“The what?” Briana joked.

“The runway. Downstairs. Now shush, my lady. Anyone who has undergone such a magnificent makeover will appear before the crowds on the red carpet.”

“And what will we wear, madame?” said Briana, playing along.

“You are to pick one gown. My assistant Ashley will help you dress in the bathroom down the hall. Understand?”

The girls giggled at Mrs. Robinson and said yes before rushing to the clothes racks. Each of them picked the dress of their choice and prepared to walk like a superstar down the makeshift red carpet in the living room downstairs. Briana went first.

Praise Prompt

Psalm 104 is an amazing picture of God’s beauty in nature. As you read the verses below, think about how awesome the Creator is. Then celebrate! The same God that made the world also made you! Now that’s a good reason to smile!

Psalm 104:1–9

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Lord my God, you are very great;

you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment;

he stretches out the heavens like a tent

and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.

He makes the clouds his chariot

and rides on the wings of the wind.

He makes winds his messengers,

flames of fire his servants.

He set the earth on its foundations;

it can never be moved.

You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment;

the waters stood above the mountains.

But at your rebuke the waters fled,

at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

they flowed over the mountains,

they went down into the valleys,

to the place you assigned for them.

You set a boundary they cannot cross;

never again will they cover the earth.

When Briana reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw that the photographer was Mrs. Hines’ husband. “Hey, Mr. Hines! You’re a photographer?”

“I am tonight, Miss Robinson. Happy birthday. Now, strike a pose!”

All twelve girls took their turn walking the red carpet. In fact, they were so excited about their new image, they each took two turns, changing outfits in between. When all the walking, squealing, eating, and gift opening was done, everybody was exhausted! Briana walked the last guest, Austin’s mom, to the door. “Good night, Mrs. Thomas. Thank you so much for coming and for all of your help.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart. My pleasure. Oh! Before I forget.” She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a cute pink gift bag. “From the Thomas family, with love.”

Briana pulled out the glittery pink Bible from the bag. Her name was inscribed in silver cursive in the bottom right-hand corner. “I love it, Mrs. Thomas! Thank you!”

After closing the door behind Mrs. Thomas, she ran to the couch and sat down, nestling against her own mother who had finally plopped down. “How in the world did you do all of this?” Briana said.

Mrs. Robinson rubbed Briana on the head. “It’s a long story. I’ll have to tell you all about it … later.”

“Watch the do, Mom, watch the hairdo. I just came from the most exquisite salon in town.”

Her mom laughed. “Did you have fun?”

“You know it. I feel like a queen, Mom. Thanks for everything.” She leaned over and kissed her mom on the cheek. “I’m off to get some sleep.” Briana got up and headed up the stairs to her bedroom. Before she went to bed though, she wanted to take one last peek in the game room, to look at the place of the best birthday party she’d ever had. There was one final surprise waiting for her.

Austin Taylor was in the game room sweeping up the floor. Briana interrupted his whistling.

“Hey, Austin. I didn’t know — “

“Yeah, we’re just cleaning up.”

“Who’s we?”

“Me, my dad, and Mr. Hines. They’re loading up some stuff in the truck.”

“So, you mean you guys are the ones who did all of this for me? Have you been here all night?”

“Yep. Between me, my dad, and Mr. Hines, you’re looking at your videographer, your set designer, your chef, your security guard, and — “

“… and my photographer. I never even noticed you guys were here working so hard.”

“Well, it was kind of a girly thing you know, not really the place for a bunch of guys, know what I mean?”

“I get it, Austin. It’s hard for me to believe that you’d be willing to give up your Friday night for this.” She grabbed a bottle of pink nail polish and shook it. “Your dad must have forced you to do it.”

“No, not exactly. My dad is cool. We have fun hanging out together.”

“So how long have you known about this?”

“I’ve been in on it since the beginning. It was actually Dad’s bright idea, but he wanted to keep it a secret. I promised him I wouldn’t do or say anything to tip you off.”

“No way! Why would he do all of this for me? Wait a minute. Did my mom pay you guys or something? I can’t do enough chores to pay you for this!”

Austin shrugged his shoulders and kept working, not noticing the disbelief on Briana’s face. “Don’t worry about paying for it, Bree. The cost is taken care of.” He stopped cleaning long enough to look at Briana. He smiled, and she noticed that he was starting to blush. He quickly looked away. “You look st — “

Briana was afraid to know what Austin thought about her makeover. Was he going to say stupid? Or straight up ridiculous? It could be stunning, but she didn’t give him the chance to finish. “So uh, you and your dad, I mean, you really get along well?”

“Yeah. He’s got mad love because I’m his first son and the only one. That whole thing.”

“Must be nice.”

“Yes and no.” He grabbed a bottle of water and took a sip. “Yes, because everything he gives, he gives to me. Not just stuff. You know what I mean? It’s like, he loves the things … the people … that I love.”

“And the no?”

“I know he wanted more kids. He wanted a huge family and never meant for me to be the only child. I think that’s why he does so much for my friends. If you’re connected to me, then he treats you the way he treats me. It’s like you become a part of us. I don’t know. He’s just cool like that.”

Pastor Taylor walked into the game room, interrupting their conversation. “Who’s cool like what?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Wow, Briana! You look fabulous. Now that’s what you call a makeover, huh? You’re destined for stardom young lady.” He grabbed a couple of chairs and walked back out to go load them in the truck.

“I agree,” Austin said, “Oh! Hey, I’ve got something for you.” He grabbed a DVD and a long white envelope off the table. “Here you go. The video of your party.”

“Awesome! I guess now I can have another party to watch the party!” She held up the envelope, ignoring the handwriting on the front. “And what’s this?”

“Nothing much. Just a little something I wanted to share with you.”

She read the small, scrawny cursive on the envelope: To Briana, Love Austin.

Briana’s Box

Say what! No, Austin Thomas did not just use the L word! Okay, maybe he didn’t actually say he loved Briana, but still! Briana felt a little strange, and yes, excited even, about the way Austin was talking. Knowing that he cared made her feel special. It had taken her some time to warm up to Austin, but since they had become friends, her life did seem to be changing for the better.

Daughter, You Decide

It sure sounds like Briana and Austin are headed in a special direction, don’t you think? Their parents are so not about to let them date at their age! But she’s not even sure how she’s supposed to feel about it. And she surely doesn’t know how to respond to him. Daughter, you decide. What would you do if a boy gave you a letter like the one Austin gave Briana?

Briana realized that her own situation with her father might not ever change. She had grown accustomed to seeing other girls with their fathers. Yet seeing Austin with his dad was teaching her new things about the way fathers love their sons, especially the one who was born first! That’s important for you to understand too. Here’s why.

Briana’s experience with Austin and his dad is similar to your experience with Father God and his first Son, Jesus Christ. Remember why Austin said his father loved him so much? Right! Austin was his father’s first and only son. As the only son, Austin was the recipient of all of his father’s love, gifts, and energy. But, Austin knew that his father wanted more children.

Likewise, in the beginning, Jesus Christ was the first and only Son of Father God. Because he had no other children yet, Father God poured all of his love, gifts, and energy into Jesus Christ. Yet, the Father’s desire and intention was always to have a large family full of daughters and sons that he could love.

Do you remember what Austin’s dad did to meet his desire to have more children to love? Yes! He loved Austin’s friends. Whomever Austin loved and cared about, his father loved and cared for too. Austin’s father welcomed his son’s friends, like Briana, into their relationship because Austin loved them.

This is exactly what Father God does as well. To fulfill the desire in his heart for a large family full of daughters and sons, he loves whomever his first Son, Jesus Christ, loves. Whomever Jesus loves, the Father loves. He welcomes friends of Jesus Christ, like you, into the loving bond that the two of them share.

The way people see the bond of love between Austin and his dad is when they work together. Because of how much they love each other, Pastor Thomas and Austin enjoy collaborating. They coordinated every detail to pull off Briana’s party according to the original plan. Lastly, Austin was careful to do only what his father instructed him to do and say. Briana was astonished that Austin was in on it from the start, and that he kept quiet about it the entire time!

Just like Austin and his dad, Father God and Jesus have been joyfully working together from the start. They make every detail of God’s plan flow together so it ends exactly the way the Father originally intended. Just like Austin, Jesus followed Father God’s directions with diligence, carrying out the plan to perfect completion.

When the girls completed their makeovers, they walked downstairs like superstars to parade down the red carpet and shine in front of the camera. Aside from having great fun in the process, the highlight and purpose of the entire evening was transformation into an image that, as Pastor Thomas said to Briana, made her destined for stardom.

Your future and destiny from Father God includes shining like a star too. You might not see your name in the bright lights of LA, or a star on the Hollywood walk-of-fame might not be in your future. Yet, the red carpets of this world that we see with our eyes are fading, and there is honor in your future from Father God, which lasts forever.

Even though the girls had a blast celebrating her birthday, the point of Briana’s party was to transform each girl into an image worthy of honor. That, Faithgirl, is also the point of everything God is doing in your life. The desire of Father God’s heart is to transform you into the image of the one person suitable to be exalted, like a shining star. Do you know who that person is? You guessed it, girl! That person is Jesus Christ.

Believing with Briana

Your makeover into the image of Jesus Christ is a special piece of God’s ultimate work of art. You could think of yourself as one line in the perfect love poem! Father God reproducing the life of Jesus Christ in us is accomplished:

• Discreetly

• Divinely

• Definitely

Do you remember where the celebration honoring Briana’s birthday started? Upstairs in the game room, right! The privacy behind those closed French doors was just right for transforming ordinary young women into extraordinary models of perfection. The girls needed much help with their makeovers. After all, skilled artists who know exactly how a model is supposed to look do the best makeovers. Her mother, cheer coaches, Mrs. Thomas, and Ashley all contributed to the process. Before receiving the honor of walking the red carpet, they underwent treatment at five stations: hairstyling, facial, manicure, pedicures, and wardrobe.

Walking through the process of transformation could be embarrassing, so Father God begins discreetly, too. Before you’re ready for the public, Father God prepares you in private. If you’ve ever seen a makeover, you know this is the loving thing to do! Makeovers get messy and ugly before they get pretty. Father God is not out to shame you in front of everybody else. A beauty queen in the Bible, named Esther, had a fabulous (and long!) makeover in private too, before she went public.

Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.

— Esther 2:12

Esther had people helping her too, just as Briana did. Father God does not leave you helpless either. Your makeover is divinely inspired. The best person for the job of reproducing Jesus Christ in you is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit knows exactly what Jesus looks like, and the Spirit is skilled at re-creating that same look in you. He does it by guiding you through various circumstances of life and training you in those situations.

Briana’s makeover consisted of stops at five different stations before she was fit for public display. At each of those five stops, the stylist formed some feature of Briana in a new way. Each girl was given a new look in relation to her hair, the features on her face, her hands, her feet, and the clothes she wore.

Likewise, the Holy Spirit will guide you to specific experiences and newly form the characteristics of Jesus Christ in you. The Spirit restyles your hair, or what is growing out of your head. If you’re going to shine for your heavenly Father, then your mind has to change.

Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

— 1 Corinthians 2:16

You remember that your mind is where the battle is, don’t you? So make sure you see your stylist, the Holy Spirit, to get the Jesus Christ cut!

Please keep it moving though, because there is more new styling on the way. The Holy Spirit will also attend to the features on your face. Your nose, eyes, ears, and mouth require major reconstruction to the pattern of Jesus Christ if you’re going to light up the world with Father God!

Your nose, eyes, ears, and mouth let you know what’s up in the natural world around you. That’s exactly what they do in the spiritual world too. Your spiritual life is sensational! You don’t think so? Well, think again, Faithgirl! The knowledge of Jesus Christ has a distinctive aroma, like a sweet-smelling fragrance you can detect with your nose. When the Holy Spirit makes over your eyes, you learn what it means to look good to Father God, the way Jesus does.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

— Philippians 2:3–4

Ears are important too, because Jesus Christ made decisions based on what he heard Father God speak. And speaking of speaking! The matter of your mouth is urgent and powerful, dear sister, so the Holy Spirit must fill it with Christ’s words of life.

The last two game room stations that Briana and the girls went to both involved large tubs filled with water. Don’t you enjoy soaking your hands and feet in a bin of warm water all bubbly with soap? Briana’s manicure left her hands feeling clean and rejuvenated. The pedicure, which was her last stop before wardrobe down the hall in the bathroom, made her feet feel brand new and ready to walk with some pep in her step!

Just as it was during Briana’s makeover, warm water and cleansing are a major part of the Holy Spirit making room for the life of Jesus Christ to show up in you. Father God wants his children to worship him with uplifted hands that are clean, rather than unclean as if they’ve worshiped a false god. Jesus demonstrated what the touch of a daughter or son with clean, refreshed hands like his can do.

When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

— Matthew 8:14–15

The Father looks for more than just clean hands though, so the Holy Spirit will also get your feet ready for you to walk out your life in the way that Jesus did. As the master artist who transforms you, the Spirit gives you the understanding and wisdom necessary to live a life that honors and pleases God in every way. The Holy Spirit uses the feet of Jesus as a mold for your own, setting you up to walk as he did. Here’s how you get to stepping:

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

— Ephesians 5:1–2

When it was time to get dressed in their beautiful gowns, Briana fell in love with the long white one embellished with beading and crystals. It was a good thing Ashley was there to assist her, because it would have been impossible for her to dress herself. She polished off her ensemble with simple, yet elegant jewelry and a classic pair of sateen ballet flats. The final adornment, which sealed her status as the center of attention, was a petite tiara that sat modestly on her beautifully styled head. Without a doubt, she definitely was flawless in her appearance.

A flawless appearance before him is what your heavenly Father has planned for you too. The model he uses to assess your completeness is the Son he loves so greatly, Jesus Christ. Briana was able to finish flawlessly with the help of Ashley, her assistant for the evening. Likewise, the Holy Spirit, your helper sent to you from Father God, will enable you to walk into your future as a daughter made over into the image of his Son, Jesus Christ. Before him you will stand in unsurpassed and flawless beauty.

There is no doubt about this, Faithgirl. This is the future and destiny of all daughters and sons of Father God. He definitely determined it before he even created the world! So, since it’s a done deal, do you want to know exactly how you will look?

Then look no farther than your brother, Jesus Christ, and to Briana’s tidbits that include three insights into Jesus’ nature. Three statements Jesus made (yep, some more “I am” thoughts) show what he is like, and what you are becoming by the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said,

• I AM Gentle

• I AM Humble in Heart

• I AM Generous

Just as Austin did for Briana, Jesus has left you a special letter telling you what he’s like inside. Make sure you read it in a quiet place, when you have some time alone. Imagine that Jesus is sitting right there next to you, waiting for you to follow him to Father God.

Dear Faithgirl,

I am gentle. I know you’ve been hearing a lot about bullying lately, but I’m no bully. Other people may get rough or violent with you, trying to make you do things their way. Just as heaven is higher up than the earth, my ways are higher than yours are. Still, I will not use force to bring you near to me. I am kind and mild when I invite you to walk with me. My hope is that you will follow me because you love me, not because you are afraid of me. Sometimes you don’t always recognize my voice because I am soft-spoken, but I’m constantly calling you. When I bring you to me, I do it with kindness. My kindness always works.

I am humble in heart too. I understand other people can make you feel nervous and afraid sometimes, with all of their rules and regulations: “Do this, don’t do that.” They act as if the entire world revolves around them. I am not like that. I’m very simple and don’t claim to be so important and special that you can’t approach me. When I see that life is weighing you down, it makes my heart heavy with sadness. So, I’ll get down in the dirty, messy situations of life with you, no matter what other people think. After that, I’ll make a swap with you.

I trade you because I am generous. I love to give. So, when I bend down to pick you up, you can give me the ashes of the mess in your life. Then, I will give you the crown of beautiful life spent walking with Father God. I understand you think you don’t deserve it. Remember though, this life really isn’t about you or what you think. It’s all about Father God and what he thinks. He thinks that because I was willing to give my life, the most valuable thing that a person can give, you do deserve it. According to Father God, whomever I love and cherish deserves to receive good gifts. And guess what, daughter of God? I love you.

Daughter Deed

Jesus is always inviting you to spend time with him. He wants to take you to the heavenly Father in prayer. Now that you’ve read your letter from Jesus, will you do a daughter deed? Write a letter back to Jesus in the space below, telling him how you feel about his letter. Do you want the Holy Spirit to make you over into his image?

Beginning with Briana

In the natural world, salon visits and makeovers are great! Still, the spiritual beauty that radiates from within you matters most to Father God. Fancy clothes, blingy jewelry, and hair whipped just right are not the things that make you beautiful. In God’s sight, a daughter’s gentle and peaceful spirit shining outwardly is priceless and unfading.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

— Proverbs 31:30

Daughter, Declare Your Prayer

Father, thank you for choosing to make me over! I am grateful for the work of your Holy Spirit within me. May I always be willing to learn from you. I’m excited about becoming a reflection of Jesus Christ, the one you love. It’s by following him that you accept me, and make me gentle, humble, and generous!