How About We Quit Fakin' It

I see you. 

The young teenager, struggling to feel loved or worth it. 

Why do I make all these stupid mistakes anyway? Everyone must think I'm a failure.

I see you.

The young father desperately trying to make ends meet and provide for his rapidly growing family. 

What kind of man can't provide for his own family? I'm such a loser. 

I see you. 

The one in charge of the food committee. Frantically organizing each event to a T and making sure every demand is met because...

What will people think and I can't let them see how disorganized I actually am?!

I see you. 

The one who is always happy and go-lucky and has a ready smile. But underneath, the pain is deeper than you would ever care to admit or look at. 

No one would love me if they knew. It's too embarrassing anyway.

I see you. 

The one who is terrified of stepping out and trying that new thing or leading the pack.

I'll make a mistake and look foolish. What will people say?

And so we hide inside our safe places, stuck by the question, "What will people think?"  We pretend all is fine and good, but inside we are crying and screaming to be understood, loved, and accepted. After all, everyone else has it all together so why wouldn't I?

Perhaps it is time to let down some of those walls and let a couple people close to us get a glimpse inside. After all, they have noticed the cracks for years and are more than ready to help. We all know those relaxed people who openly agree to their shortcomings but seem to be at peace being less than perfect. The question is, "Will you dare?"

Will you dare to be vulnerable and take the risk of looking foolish? Will you dare to be humble enough to need help? Will you be courageous enough to admit you don't have it all together. 

And Jesus will find You, at the end of Your rope, in the midst of Your pain, in face of your fear. But you must let Him and His people in. The risk is high but the reward is great. ❤️

What happens when people open their hearts? They get better. - Haruki Murakami

This I Believe...

Back in high-school, I had a phenomenal English teacher who always challenged her students to write better. She enjoyed literature immensely and saw to it that we were introduced to all types. In the course of that semester, she got us to write a piece called, "This I Believe," about something that was poignant and resonated with our core. 

As we go through life, we change, circumstances change, and difficult things arise, but at the core of it all, this I believe...

I believe in a God that is silent at times but ultimately working things out for good. As His child, I know that I can trust Him with the things that are confusing, rest in Him for my weakness, and love Him for who He is. 

I believe that He is the Ultimate Healer, the Ageless Wisdom, the Sovereign King, and the Never-ending Ruler. I know He is in control, regardless of circumstances, etc. I believe that a believer's faith has become seasoned when he/she can stand with arms uplifted in praise with tears running down his/her face. He/she knows a God who has been faithful in the past and will continue to be.

As stated by song writer Chris Tomlin, 

There is an endless song 
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring
And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the Rock I cling.
How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your Name
I know I am loved by a King 
And it makes my heart want to sing

I believe that Christians have an Answer to share with the hurting world around them. Life does not get easier and the world does not get brighter, but Jesus lived among the broken and lost when He came to earth. We must go and do the same. 

Through our weak and feeble efforts, His beautiful grace and love will shine and grow in abundance. The people who walked in darkness will see great light and the glory of the Lord will come to rest upon them. They will see that He is good and deserves all praise and glory. 

Over the centuries, Christian after Christian has learned to praise God through difficulty. Jesus Himself was the perfect example. 

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 95:6-7 ESV