For years I sat in Bible studies with a smile on my face, and yet a huge crack in my heart. Every girl there seemed so together. Every woman seemed to have her life put together. All was in order. Perfect kids. Great marriage. Perfect!
When you feel like you’re living in a “perfect” world, it’s hard to let you guard down and be authentic and real. You are constantly bombarded with the thoughts “what will they think” “what if they find out” or “why can’t I be like them” running through your head. So your world becomes pretty superficial.
Others ask, “How are you doing?” And you respond smiling “FINE!”
Over the years of me teaching, I have been determined that I will never teach a class where I perpetuate the superficial environment I came to loath years ago. What I’ve learned is that if I’m real and authentic as a teacher, then I give others around me permission to share their true hearts.
Finishing up class last night, I was taken back by the true authentic hearts represented in the room. No one was there to pretend, yet everyone was there to encourage one another. The girls felt free to share their struggles. Girls felt free to encourage one another. Girls felt called to pray for each other.
I’m so thankful for the freedom that comes from true authentic hearts and relationships!
It get's old trying to keep that façade up doesn't it? I finally realized that I can't minister to others if I pretend that everything is always okay!
Thankful for you Alene!
Yes!! What a wonderful post!! So right on. This world is looking for authenticity from the Christian community.
Returned the favor! Following via email. Looking forward to reading MORE of what our Heavenly Father gives you to share!
Authenticity allows me to breath. Thanks friends for your comments and follows. blessings!
Yipes, I have to post my comment again! I got bumped off! Don't you HATE when that happens!? lol..
Alene, your post reminded me of a great saying I once heard about happy people. It went something like, "The ONLY happy people I know are people I don't know well."
We have NO idea about what is really going on in all those perfect people's lives.
All we can control is our own attitude. It sure sounds like you know yours and know how to be grateful and find the grace in your life!
Me too Alene….I was one who sat in bible study never really sharing my hurts afraid of what others would think for YEARS!!!! I now go to a church where we share and it so freeing. I too now can breath and love the sharing and caring and praying for each other!!
Authentic living before God and his created. I, too, sensed a fresh movement of God's Spirit with my Bible study gals today. There's a lot of tough exteriors presenting themselves, a lot of masks. But now, just a week short of finishing our time together, we're beginning to move past the barriers and get to some real heart stuff. It's been a privilege to share this time with my small group of friends.
Be encouraged, Alene. We're all traveling along together. One day, we'll make it safely home to the love of Jesus and the full understanding regarding our lives!
peace~elaine
Alene, though I don't live there, or even know you beyond the great online blessing you impart to me, I am so humbled by your authenticity, and your courage to be who you are in a world that says we need to be all put together in order to be beautiful. Just knowing that your heart is to be real with God, and all those that you minister beauty, and hope too, has touched my own life in ways you will never understand – mostly because I don't yet understand how God has richly blessed me in your doing that. I just know that even with my sin warts and all, I am blessed to be able to be real with you , as I keep living for the Lord, as He airs out all my Dirty Laundry.. Love you sweet lady.. So very much.
Connie – I know, I know. I hate it that we do that to ourselves. Our time together as God's girls should be when we can be the most transparent to encourage one another.
Elaine – that day of full understanding of our lives will be so awesome, right? However, when that day comes we'll probably careless about what happened and just spend time glorifying God in all His glory!
Karen – you have touched and blessed my heart more than you'll ever know. I'm so thankful that we could be transparent and real from the moment we met (via bloggy world and writings). I covet your prayers. Know I think of you often. And I'm still praying we meet here on earth SOON!!
Blessings all.