The Real Thing, Baby

Originally Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2008

"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 they 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
'Cuz You see the real me

Painted on, life is behind a mask
A self-inflicted circus clown
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
'Cuz 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
I just want to be me, yeah, yeah, yeah…
I want to be me

You see the real me
And You love me JUST AS I AM
Wonderful, beautiful is what You see
When You look at me."

This song really encouraged me to live a more authentic life and not be afraid to let others see me struggle with the fragility of my faith. We all learn to fake a smile and pretend we always have it all together, but God sees what's real and loves us just as we are. My blog (or Facebook "Notes," however it came to you) was always a way for me to let people know about the very real struggles I have each and every day. I shared the good and the bad. I want to keep doing that because it's real and it's true. And other people need to know that no one is perfect and no one is without emotions, temptations, and doubt. If you want to hear only warm, fuzzy stories about how spiritual and strong I am, then you've come to the wrong place. If you want to hear about the ups and downs of a real person's life, who loves the Lord with all her heart and wants to serve Him with her life, but who does not hide the difficult steps along the path her heart takes on this journey, then keep reading. This is the real thing, Baby!