Sometimes, God redeems your story by surrounding you with people who need to hear about your past so it doesn’t become their future.
Jon Acuff
I was reading something recently that mentioned a writer I had not heard of. I Googled to find her online home and popped over to her blog.
i read a post or two and dug back into her archives to get a sense of her story. She wrote in a style I like about simple happy everyday things. A kindred spirit.
Except it was too perfect.
And it bugged me.
For me to connect with someone in person or through their words I have to be able to see past the facade to the reality.
And the reality is that life is messy. It’s hard. It hurts.
If you’re willing to share your real story and hear my real story, chances are we’ll find commonalities that reinforce our belief that we’re not so different after all. We connect.
I have to have some level of faith that I can extend a hand to help you slog through the muck and trust that a hand will be extended back to me when I stumble into a pit: in person or through story.
Imperfect helping imperfect.
Face to face. Masks dropped. Heart to heart.
Isn’t that connection what we are all longing for? I know I am. Maybe you too?
It’s hard to find sometimes.
Can you think of a time when it happened in your life?
Can we be intentional about being real?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I will share something that is about as real as it gets, as vulnerable as it gets, and I am sure some of your readers, as well as you, may understand. Two weeks ago in the middle of our new life adventure of traveling full-time in our trailer, I was diagnosed with cancer. We are still waiting for biopsy results to know a Treatment plan.
I share this because five years ago I had a “a few cells” that were cancer. I had a complete hysterectomy. I was devastated and ashamed and only told a handful of people. Close friends didn’t know.
Not this time. There is nowhere to hide.
This may not be what you expected…but you asked.
Thank you
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Martha, I’ve just sent you an email. I’m sorry for this very real and vulnerable–and awful and painful–news and am humbled you chose to share it here. I’m with you in prayer–today and as you move forward on this unexpected and unwanted journey. xo