Author: Chrisy

More on the subject of Authenticity

Monday, April 16, 2007

More on the Subject of Authenticity
Current mood: contemplative

So, I am singing on Sunday in church and the song that I have chosen (at this point) is “The Real Me” by Natalie Grant. Here are the words:

Foolish heart, looks like we’re here again.
Same old game of plastic smile,
Don’t let anybody in.
Hiding my heartache,
Will this glass house break?
How much will it take before I’m empty?
Do I let it show?
Does anybody know?

But You see the real me.
Hiding in my skin, broken from within.
Unveil me completely.
I’m loosening my grasp,
There’s no need to mask my frailty
Cause You see the real me.

Painted on, life is behind a mask,
Self-inflicted circus clown.
I’m tired of the song and dance,
Living a charade, always on parade.
What a mess I’ve made of my existence.
But You love me even now
And still I see somehow…

That You see the real me.
Hiding in my skin, broken from within.
Unveil me completely.
I’m loosening my grasp,
There’s no need to mask my frailty
Cause You see the real me.

Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When You look at me.
You’re turning the tattered fabric of my life
Into a perfect tapestry.
Oh, I just wanna be me,
I wanna be me.

 

But You see the real me.
Hiding in my skin, broken from within.
Unveil me completely.
I’m loosening my grasp,
There’s no need to mask my frailty
Cause You see the real me.

And you love me just as I am.
Wonderful, beautiful is what You see
When You look at me

Wow – what powerful words! We (especially moms) do such a good job of putting on our masks that show everything is right and good in our lives. We don’t want anyone else to know that we struggle, that we yell at our kids, that we lose our tempers, that we fight with our husbands, that sometimes we just want to run away. But if we constantly hide our true selves, then what help can we be to others and how can we find help for ourselves?

Yet, God sees us as we are and loves us anyway. Shouldn’t we love others for who they ARE rather than who they want us to see? Wouldn’t it make life so much easier if we could just be REAL with one another? I remember a scene from Desperate Housewives a year or so ago – Lynette is crying at the park and Bree and Susan are trying to comfort her. Lynette is down on herself because she is struggling as a mom. When Bree and Susan share that they have had major struggles, too, Lynette asks them why they never told her that before. I think this is how many of us feel – like we are all alone. But we are not – we just have to be willing to share a little bit more of ourselves with one another.

Currently listening :
Awaken
By Natalie Grant
Release date: 22 March, 2005

Who Are We

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Who are we?
Current mood: pensive

So, I have been thinking a lot lately about who I am. Am I the person that I was in high school – somewhat boy crazy, attention-loving, do my own thing, not care what people thought person? Am I the person I was in college – crazy, fun-loving, somewhat out of control person? Am I the person I am now – settled, working wife and mother, trying to do what is right? Or would I even be the person I am now without the past?

I have been talking to some old friends that I haven’t talked to in years. And some of those friends and I parted on not great terms. Yet I want so much for them to know that I am not the same person I was back then. I am so much more sensitive to the feelings of others. Regardless of the fact that I am self-confident, I still wonder what people think about me and want people to like me.

This book I have been reading has really got me to thinking about being the person we claim to be. One of his comments is “Do I want social justice for the oppressed, or do I just want to be known as a socially active person?” Hmmm.

And then I start thinking about authenticity. Which is better – to live a life of apparent “holiness” or to live an authentic life that may fall short of holiness? For me, I think I would rather that people saw me as an authentic person who struggles to live a life that is pleasing to God. It’s hard to be good all the time. We were created for good, but it doesn’t come naturally because of the fall.

What do you think?

Currently reading :
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
By Donald Miller
Release date: 17 July, 2003