Keeping it Real Here

We have all heard that phrase, “Keeping it real here” uttered or declared in the everyday messiness of living. Often it is attached to a photo of something that doesn’t represent our own expectations of what is lovely or organized or even perfect.

When I hear this spoken, I feel a great sense of relief on many levels. The freedom to be who I am, the reminder that I don’t have to hide my imperfections, the recognition that I am not alone in the struggle to ‘appear’ okay; all of these, the reality of the day to day.

I have a beautiful family. I have really beautiful children.They all have beautiful spouses. I have adorable grandchildren. I have a handsome husband. I brush my hair occasionally and wash my face on the regular. I am healthy and fit. All of my family are well. I look so good on the surface.

This ‘looking good’ is wonderful and blessed and that is all the gifting of God, but the truth is, there is more than meets the eye.

My babies brought pain at their birth, tears at their growth and aches at their independence. Their babies brought lines of worry, hair of gray, stretching of already stretchy patience, learning to keep arms open and tongue stilled.

The years were made up of spilled drinks, broken heirlooms, torn books, stained clothing, lost glasses, shattered windows, unhappy family photographs, pouty lips and sassy backtalk, stubborn refusals and impatient demands. And then there were wrecked cars, broken bones, lost friends, long silences, separation, and sorrow.

Life.

But in the weaving of such dark colored fibers, and snarled knots of frustration was woven such a richness and depth of colorful contrasts and breadth that I am brought to tears, even in the musings over it. How could I ever appreciate the work of the Weaver without having watched as each moment was added to the masterpieces of our lives?

So yes…being real here, there is more than the well ordered photo of the moment. It is but a glimpse in time of our lives. A beautiful glimpse. A colorful and refreshing glimpse.

And surely that is as it should be! We humans desire to keep our chins up in difficulty and to persevere in the valleys of our lives. Some would even force themselves to wear a smile in spite of tragedy and calamity consuming them… ( honestly… I am not that brave to wear that smile.)

We are made of some powerful stuff. We are, after all, created in the image of God! He gave us that ability to rise above, overcome, defend and pursue. So, like many of my friends and family, I live. When things are amazing and breathtaking, I talk about it, show it off, go on and on…(i.e. grand babies…ahem)

When the yarn is dull and gray and has giant knots…well… I just let those moments float on by without mention; unless I am whining about them, then they come out in the ‘getting real’ sagas.

I will contest the hiding of the ugly though! They make us who we are, they are battle scars and stories of triumph. They are the things learned and grown from. They are the special richness contained in us that declare who God is and the Grace that surrounds our lives! These are the not-perfect moments that speak greater volumes to the fellow warriors around us.

Those events and thoughts remind us that we are indeed all learning and walking a perilous but adventurous trail that leads us home.

Absolutely take the pictures. I want to see mountaintops and castles! I also don’t mind seeing the moats with the alligators and the holes where you twisted your ankle.

My skin is thick, though my heart is on my sleeve. I cry ALOT. Anybody who has any dealing with me knows that my eyes tear up at the very mention of the hard times…I also know exactly what to do with all those, maybe not recorded, aches and pains…I take them right to the throne of my Savior and present them there for Him to take care of. He catches every tear and holds them dear.

“And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints, rose before God.”

-Revelation 8:4

I believe that every single moment of our lives is such an incredible gift. We may not know what to do with the hard ones and be baffled as to their value, but we are better for them.

So…friends, talk about the beautifuls, share the uglies. You are covered by Grace and carry a precious story meant to be shared.

” Bear one another’s burdens.Thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

-Galations 6:2

Who knows who will be influenced by your suffering? Who knows what mighty stronghold may topple because you shared how a pit tripped you up?

Our lives on the Loom of heaven bear a marvelous weaving that God is not finished with until we run into His Arms!

Much Love, Perfectly Imperfect Woman, Wife, Mama, Mimi, Sister, Friend