Real: Five Minute Friday

I have not been able to participate the last two Fridays, and I have really missed it. One week I was busy with my girls at home for a four day weekend and they were more important than sitting at the computer writing. The next week I just had a lot going on at their school. I really had to let go of my guilt at not writing...there is no pressure to participate!

If you haven't tried out Five Minute Friday yet, visit katemotaung.com and find out what it is and what we do! :)

What does real mean? It means genuine, sincere, and has a lot to do with why I began "blogging" in 2011. Romans 12:9 was my inspiration. "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good." I've striven to be transparent as I write, no pretense of perfection, but willing to share my experiences in order to bring hope to others.

As I've met other brave women at the BraveGirl Community and at Unveiled Wife, I've realized that being real is being authentic. Jesus was and is God. He never apologized for who He was. He was Holy. Neither should we be anything less than real as we gather together in community. I love Jennifer Smith over at Unveiled Wife, who recently released her book. BraveGirl is giving away three copies through March 31st, so here's a link for that. Giveaway!!
But, her entire ministry, the message of Unveiled Wife, is based on 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, “Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (NIV)

I'm a regular blood donor...one way of giving back for all that I've been given.

Real means I see you through the eyes of the One who has forgiven me everything and who has extended that same redemption to you. I see His masterpiece, a human working to accept fully the love and forgiveness of a Mighty Savior. When we have truly received His Holy Spirit in every place in our lives, I believe He can then say "it is finished" and welcome us home.

Our struggles are real, our disappointments are real, and so are our triumphs and joys. Let us therefore strive to be completely real with each other and throw aside the outer shell that only Hollywood and marketers see and focus on. For the man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Thank you for visiting today. I hope to extend love and grace to you through these short words.