Really?

Seriously?  Get real!  Are you for real? Really?

How many times do we hear or say those words?  Although we frequently refer to what is real, we probably put much greater effort into hiding, concealing, burying or denying...what is most real in our lives.

I'm not referring to publicly proclaiming every detail. It is always wise to discern what is shared...or not.  I simply find it disappointing when lives are searching, shattered, broken, beaten or terribly lost...they often feel too ashamed or afraid to reveal it, especially to those who should care most. 

Beth Moore recently shared that “People don't need Christians to act like we always have it together. People need us to be real! What kind of healing would come if we all just got real before God and others?”

Sometimes a part of me wants to shout to the world to just get real!  I wish we could feel free and safe enough to drop masks, discard pretenses and simply get gut-level honest with ourselves...and those who allegedly care...so healing could begin.  Then the older, wiser, private, shy part of me remembers the price often paid for doing so.  Criticism, condemnation, gossip, isolation and even abandonment are unfortunate yet common responses. 

In a world that encourages...and expects...us to swallow pain, smile sweetly and build walls that prevent healing revelation...I find peace and hope elsewhere.  The Great I Am, Himself, not only created me...but knows the real me...and still loves me.  Good days...bad days...great days...tragic days...pleasant days...painful days...do not change His love for me.  He sees beyond my scars, my weaknesses, my mistakes and my secrets...and He...still...loves...me!  Pure, perfect, precious Love from the One Who forgives...heals and restores real, imperfect me.

Oh, how I wish we would learn to share that love...His love...real love...with each other.♥~thl

"I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul."  Psalm 31: 7