My Favorite Quote

Day 2 of the November Blog Challenge

This quote by Timothy Keller is my all-time favorite. I spent a long time being liked and feeling loved but not known. I’ve always had a bubbly personality. I’ve always had the ability to make people laugh. I’ve never been afraid to perform. I’ve always been good at things. Yet, none of that requires authenticity. None that requires vulnerability. So while I was well liked and even loved for the joy I brought to others I interpreted all of that positive connection as superficial. 

It wasn’t until I was in my late 20’s, that I started seeing the value in being real. I found a community of people who were safe, who modeled genuine relationships, who rejoiced with each other in celebration and who prayed and mourned with each other in hardship. People who were open and honest with each other, who knew all the good AND the junk about each other and who loved each other even more for it. I experienced how freeing it truly is to be real with others, with myself, and with God; to be loved by others, myself, and God, in whole and not in part. That freedom changed my relationships and it changed my life. 

I no longer have any desire to fill my world with pretense. I am who I am... an imperfect person in love with a perfect God trying my best to fulfill the mission He designed for me during my time on this earth. I strive to be compassionately honest, always. I seek to take the days as they come and learn from what they bring. I hope to spread light and joy and hope and love and never hate or bitterness. 

And, the longing of my heart is that I also contribute to a safe place where people feel fully known and truly loved, so that they too can experience the totality of who God created them to be and enjoy life in abundance.