Baby Eyebrows and the Image of Grace

This clip, besides being giggle worthy, is an example of image self-awareness. Before about age 15-18 months babies looking in a mirror are unaware that the baby they see is themselves. Scientists check for this by putting a spot of red make-up on a baby’s forehead. If the baby points she does not know who she is looking at. If she touches the red spot on her own face she has made this connection. When this young man giggles at his own eyebrows we can be assured he knows who is the baby he sees in the mirror. It marks the beginning of his self-image.

At this age toddlers are aware that other people can have an image of them. This kind of awareness can be a blessing or a problem. This awareness is part of what shapes a child’s personality and identity. Who am I? How good am I? What do other people think of me? This can open up a whole new can of worms.

Perhaps a certain amount of ignorance IS bliss.

Think for a minute about what the world wants to teach your children about their image. They need to be strong, beautiful, thin, ripped, smart, cool, athletic, talented, adorable, and sexy. The messages of who they should be and how they should act come fast and furious. They can never measure up.

More importantly, we don’t want them to measure up to those false standards.

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him. Genesis 1:27

It is never too early to teach your children about God’s love for them. They are not made in the image of media or social expectations. They do not compete with pictures and clips seen on Instagram or Facebook.  They will never be a perfect Pinterest baby. They are made in God’s image and this knowledge is both powerful and comforting. 

It is powerful because they belong to God – from even before their birth. He is their creator and He loves and protects them – no matter what happens.

It is comforting because God already has a plan for how we do not measure up. He already sent His Son to die for us and wipe away our sins. Through Christ we stand perfect before God.

Let your child know he or she belongs to God, was made by God, is treasured by God and is redeemed through the work of God’s Son.This is a lesson that can never be started too early, or taught too often.

It is self-image in the mirror of grace.