So, the other night, a friend told me that my life is the "appearance of perfection". At this notion, I think I actually laughed out loud. I thought that was absurd. By no means do I say that to minimize the amazing blessings I have in my life. As you know from the "blessings series" I posted, I definitely know I am blessed. I have an amazing family and I get along with them quite swimmingly. However, perfection? That's a whole different thing altogether. While my friend explained that she knows my life is not perfect, that many women would look at me and see the "appearance of perfection" in my life.
I pondered this idea for a bit. This whole concept was odd to me. I definitely don't want anyone to get the impression that my life is perfect. And, quite frankly, I find it rather hard to believe that people would really think that. My friend assured me that this statement was not a criticism. I didn't take it to be one, but I did find it to be an observation on which to reflect. While I don't go around airing my dirty laundry to every Joe Blow, I don't want to give off any unreaslistic picture of my life, either. Ironically, later in the evening, my hubby and I were reading The Shack. And, I found part of the chapter to tie in very nicely with this "appearance" discussion. Here is what we read:
I pondered this idea for a bit. This whole concept was odd to me. I definitely don't want anyone to get the impression that my life is perfect. And, quite frankly, I find it rather hard to believe that people would really think that. My friend assured me that this statement was not a criticism. I didn't take it to be one, but I did find it to be an observation on which to reflect. While I don't go around airing my dirty laundry to every Joe Blow, I don't want to give off any unreaslistic picture of my life, either. Ironically, later in the evening, my hubby and I were reading The Shack. And, I found part of the chapter to tie in very nicely with this "appearance" discussion. Here is what we read:
"Being always transcends appearance--that which only seems to be. Once you begin to know the being behind the very pretty or very ugly face, as determined by your bias, the surface appearances fade away until they simply no longer matter. ...and any appearances that mask that reality will fall away."
Of course, I got all excited reading this, because it struck a chord with me. Isn't it amazing how people who only see you from a distance (meaning, they aren't part of your circle of "deep, authentic friends") see just the appearance of your life, rather than seeing your being, and in the process, often assume you have things together much moreso than they do? Yet, those who know you, don't even notice the appearances anymore because they see straight through to the heart of who you are. They are the ones who can say, "Cut the crap. Spill it. What's really going on?" because the surface appearance of your life has long since faded away and they see the "real you". I'm grateful for the friends in my life who see my being, rather than some unrealistic appearance. And, I'm grateful that my friend who sparked this whole idea is more and more becoming one of those "being" people in my life.
1 comment:
That's great, Rachel. I think I'm always tempted to think people have it all together when I read their blogs especially, but none of us are perfect when we really get down to who we are as people.
I really appreciate you!
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