Reveal Your Identity & Share Your Story

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He appeared to be having an identity crisis. This boy of mine, with a spirit full of joy and an imagination full of superheroes. He looked at his too big shirt and proudly proclaimed, "I'm Superman!" A plastic mask gave him an even braver heart as he yelled to all who would listen, "I'm Ironman!"

I snapped this picture and told my bold boy it was time to get in the car. He took off his mask, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "You don't want Superman. You don't want Ironman. You always want me!" 

Always, sweet boy. I always want the unmasked you. The one who looks cute in costumes but cuter without. The boy who displays the same excitement for life out of character as he does in character. The little guy who knows that high-fiving and fist-bumping a stranger is more important than flashing superhero symbols. Oh, yes, I always, always want you! 

This boy. He is a special child. Created by God for a purpose that far outweighs what I could ever plan for him. If there's one thing I want him and his siblings to understand, it's that the world needs their unmasked, flawed but incredible, authentic selves. It's what they were made for.

It's what we were made for. The world needs us to take off our masks and reveal our true selves. The best relationships are the ones where we can be 100% ourselves and know that we will still be loved. The deepest conversations come out of vulnerability. Life is not meant to be lived in costume, pretending to be something we are not. Acting like all is fine and we have it all together when our world is crumbling around us. Feigning bravery when we have deep anxiety inside. Faking a smile when we just cried our eyes out minutes before. 

We think we should only put on a brave face. And always flash a smile. And refuse to let people see the real us. So we isolate. We hide. We mask.

I tried it that way. The result? I lost myself. Lost friendships. Almost lost a marriage. Could have lost my life. 

I believed the lie that everyone else had it together - but not me. 

Why am I so passionate about sharing my testimony with anyone who wants to listen? Because God changed my life by using the vulnerability of others who shared their stories with me, admitted their struggles, and revealed their flaws.

We all have our issues. We all have messes. We all have stories to share with each other. 

Ephesians 2:10 says this: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do." 

He created you for work that only YOU can do. It's not too late. Let’s go out and do it.

Comments

  1. Patti BurkettMay 24, 2021 at 6:35 AM

    Love this! What a great reminder about the beauty of just being who God made us to be.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dana ThompsonMay 24, 2021 at 9:01 AM

    Love this! It is so easy to get caught up in the lie of perfection, when in reality we are all broken. This really touched my momma heart. "You always want me" Oh sweet boy. Of course momma does.

    ReplyDelete

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