Shine

Are you trying to do it all? Are you spinning so many plates that you are waiting for one to fall? Do you juggle so many balls you often forget what day it is and where you're supposed to be? Do you get your identity from your job, your spouse or the random opinions of strangers? Do you feel that you must shine in order to be accepted and loved? Do you fear failure because you fear what people will think of you?

I think it's time to break this mold, this terrible but comfortable habit that keeps us from living a full life - the life God intended for us.

There are so many reasons we may hide our cracks, pretend that all is well, and not allow anybody to know we don't always shine; pride, feelings of inadequacy, emptiness, history of abandonment, selfishness. Perhaps we fear being judged or ridiculed by those around us. No matter the cause, I challenge all of us to stop, and allow others to see who we really are. 

I am confident there is somebody waiting to discover ALL of you, and love you regardless. I know that God loves us unconditionally, and exactly the way we are. I hope you know that also, and a deeper hope is that you can accept that love and stop worrying about looking like you have it all together.

Being 100% authentic is far more valuable than shining all the time.

"Shine" by Jan Krist

She buries the problems but they grow and bloom again

No one need see them she will deftly pretend

Playing her high cards best foot forward every time

For who will love her if she does not shine?

Hopelessness dogs her but she will not give in

She will reason fear away again

A full and leaky vessel she hides the cracks behind

For who will love her if she does not shine?

She tries to pull herself from difficult requests

Works to be satisfied with just doing her best

'Til someone doubts her courage and she struggles with resign

For who will love her if she does not shine?

She tries to pull herself from rejection's debris

And the more she pulls the less she seems to be free

When did this all begin? Was there one point in time?

And who will love her if she does not shine?

Who will love her? Shining

Who will love her? Shining

Who will love her if she does not shine?