Be Real
This morning while I was busying about my morning routine, and I was standing in front of my mirror in the bathroom, the Lord kept giving me a word over and over again until I finally listened. “Transparency,” I said out loud as I looked at the image in the mirror. Not the kind we use on overhead projectors. The kind we talk about when speaking of people.
I know as a homeschool mother I often find myself not wanting to be “transparent” with others out of fear. Fear that someone might actually think I don’t have it all together, all the time. Fear that someone may pass judgment on that fact that I have chosen to homeschool, if I don’t act that everything is great. And lately, fear that I’m complaining.
In light of my recent blog entries about being content, I feel it’s important for me to talk a bit about being open with one another. There is a “fine line” to walk between complaining and being “real” with one another. As I’ve embarked upon my new journey of experiencing contentment, I’ve found that finding this “fine line” has challenged me. It’s new territory. The last thing I want to be found guilty of anymore is being discontent.
However, I think the Lord is beginning to make this line more visible to me.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. – James 5:16
In James 5:16 we find that we are supposed to confess our sins to each other and pray. But I couldn’t find one verse that says we should grumble about our unfair circumstances to each other. I think therein lies the difference. Confessing, being real, that oops I messed up today by doing this, but now I’m going to start over, isn’t complaining or being discontent. Of course some of our oopsies can be brought on by our circumstances, but the focus is on our accountability. This works very well for me.
The times that I’ve come “clean” with a good friend, I feel amazing healing, verse 16 talks about as well. I am blessed to have friends and family that I can be transparent with and feel no judgment. However the times I’ve complained and grumbled to someone about my unfair circumstances, I’ve always felt no better if not worse about my situation.
Beginning Again,
Melissa
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