Own Up
“This is so fun. I’m so glad we got together! Let’s take a picture so we can remember this night.”
“Wait! Let me put some lipstick on. Do I have food in my teeth? Let me just run to the restroom to check my hair.”
We don’t often take bad pictures on purpose. But I have to say, my friend takes it to the extreme. She will ask us to retake the picture over and over until we get a “good” one. And even then, she’s not satisfied with the picture. She readily points out her own flaws. “I don’t want people to see that!”
When we sold our house, we spent hours touching up paint, boxing up clutter, and freshening up the yard. We wanted to present the best possible version of our house to potential buyers.
We even do this in our relationships. We lie to our friends about what does and doesn’t bother us. “No, I don’t mind at all that you just shared my secret with the entire internet.”
We eat food we’re not crazy about at restaurants we don’t like just so we look easy-going. “Wherever you want to go is fine.”
What if we just owned up to who we are? I’ll go first.
I am a functioning introvert. I can be friendly and outgoing when the situation calls for it, but I am happiest with my close friends and family or alone at home reading a book. Therefore, I can be awkward in conversations. I will fill any gaps with words, not necessarily coherent words.
I am a processor. I like time to process my feelings, my plans, my thoughts. If pushed to give an answer in the moment, there’s no telling what might come out. You’re better off letting me get back to you after the processing is complete.
I am a freelance editor and writer, so most of my work is done under a deadline. If projects overlap, I may disappear for days or weeks on end until I can turn it all in.
I will not engage drama. I will use my words to express what I’m feeling and thinking. There is no hidden agenda or meaning to my words. And I will not read meaning into your words. If you want me to know something, please just tell me straight up.
Please know that I’m not saying I’m right in all this. I’m just admitting who I am. I have surrendered my life to Christ, so I am ready and willing to have Him mold me to be more like Him.
Paul said it best:
“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
Will you join me in being honest about who we are? It’s too exhausting to try to present myself as someone I’m not. I don’t have the energy for that.
Bonus: Being honest about who we are gives us the opportunity to boast about the power of Christ at work within us.
