Reality meets Instagram: A lesson on Authenticity

You could say I'm familiar with trials, hardship, and suffering in my almost twenty-eight years. Whether it came from my life directly or that of a loved one, hardship is a word that brings many emotions to the surface. Insert ugly cry. A word that cannot convey the depths of sorrow or adversity that has been allowed to wash over my existence.

In those seasons, there has been a undeniable beckoning closer and closer to the God that is my Savior. I can recall time after time where the Lord proved He was near and would always be found deep in the crevices of suffering. Of course, He was certainly on the mountaintops of every imaginable celebration I had been blessed with. Graduations. Marrying the love of my life. Becoming a mom, twice! But in the lowest of the lows, He was almost tangible. Like I could reach out and feel His warm and protective embrace, softening the blows that would be coming my way. I can remember over and over uttering in tearful whispers “Lord, whatever you must do to keep me in the palm of your hand, please, Father, do not let me stray.” And He has honored that prayer. Over and over. He has honored it with His powerful presence. 

While there are moments that are exclusively for my soul and Jesus and the intimacy of but a friend or two, my heart truly desires to be honest about these struggles in their due time. Not because I enjoy being vulnerable or to have my heartstrings and intentions and authenticity be questioned by the public eye.  But because in the midst of every struggle, CHRIST IS FOUND.

His power is made known.

His incredible glory is shown.

His love is so wide and His mercy profound.

His name brings peace and His joy abounds.

My God is worthy to be praised and He has allowed these circumstances of suffering to proclaim the vastness of His greatness.

I do not desire to fight against the hurt but embrace it with purpose.  

For some of you, you have found hope hearing of God’s provision in my family’s journey with ALS. For that I am so grateful for God's faithfulness and ability to use us to point to His Great Name! And for some, the Enemy sneaks in and somehow makes you question the value and worth of your own struggles—your own sufferings that weigh heavy on your mind, soul, and energy. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a hundred time, “but it’s nothing like what you’ve gone through.” Hear me sweet friends, my heart has always been authenticity, not comparison. My heart absolutely breaks when I hear how you hesitate sharing your own grief and trials with me, or someone else for that matter, for fear of sounding pitiful. If you need to hear this aloud, let me be so bold to say it. You do not need to justify to anyone, including me, the reality of the grief or struggle you feel during a season, a spell, or a moment of hardship. Your heart matters too. Your burdens matter too. Your faith and your encounters with God are just as real and powerful. 

Yes, we could all stand to gain perspective over those countless inconveniences of life we sometimes stumble at. I am grateful for the perspective I have been given by those who experience grief around me, before me, and following me. Yet, what truth and praise and glory and affirmation could come from God’s people sharing in grief openly with one another? Should we stifle it in deep where we only shout the blessings of celebration? Or should we also make known the blessings of sorrow and the blessings that come from being tucked in so tightly to the Protector of our future and Provider of our needs? Yes. Yes, this.  

I am convinced that the world needs to see our authenticity. The good and the bad. The Instagram’s of happy, little perfect children and brightly colored meals on floral china and unbelievably awesome hair days caught in just the right sunlight. Also, the red blotchy eyes scarred from uncontrollable tears left unfiltered and homes photographed with piles of laundry, stacked plates, and rolled up diapers yet to be thrown in the trash. It’s all real. The joy and the sorrow. The perfection and the chaos. The lovely and the messy.  It’s all a part of life. And it can all point to Jesus. The Creator of Heaven and Earth. The Savior who holds my future and yours. Let’s strive to be authentic people who allows every piece of their story that unfolds to be used for God’s great Glory.  

[But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me -- and not without results...it was not I but God who was working through me by His grace." 1 Corinthians 15:10]