five minute friday: real

I received a Facebook message from a friend earlier this week that has been on my mind since I read it.

So, I'm putting this out there for everyone to see.

I am an imperfect, flawed, inadequate mess of a sinner.  I mean, hot mess! 

And I love to be transparent about my chaotic, mess of a life.  In other words, I like to be {REAL}!  I want my blog to be a reflection of my {REAL} life.

Here is a glimpse into the {REAL} me...

~There are days that the dirty dishes pile so high in my sink that I have a complete meltdown on the inside.

~Saturdays are my cleaning days.  And there are weeks that I feel utterly and completely frustrated over the fact that I have to clean my house.

~I am a worrier.  Type-A, number one worrier.  About everything.  I can waste a lot of time worrying about things that I have no control over.  A lot of time.

~I am one of the most impatient people you will ever know.  If you don't believe me, ask my parents and my sister.  I've been impatient since June 5, 1979.  And my impatience can cause me to take matters into my own hands and royally mess up a situation. 

~There are fleeting moments, when my selfishness bubbles to the top, and I just want to soak in a hot bath for hours or run get a pedicure or go buy a ridiculously expensive pair of shoes.  You know, do something for myself and completely forget about the others who depend on me.

~I struggle with keeping in touch with my dear friends in between all the busyness of life.

~There are days when I don't dive into the Word.  Sometimes a week can go by before I've even cracked open my Bible.  {I've been much better about it for the past three weeks, so I'm seeing a bit of a pattern develop in my morning routine}

~I can get really annoyed with reckless drivers.  Really. 

~Sometimes I don't wait for the Holy Spirit's guidance before making a decision.  And it is always the wrong decision.

~In certain situations, I can make a judgement without even knowing all the facts.  I judge.  {Gasp!} I can't stand myself for it.



You see, my {REAL} life is not a picture of perfection or a reflection that I have it all together.  I make a million mistakes everyday.  But I recognize my mistakes a lot quicker than I could months ago. 

I read something this week that put it all into perspective for me...

"We all have our issues. Most of us just wear a cute bob or smile to cover them up. We’re never as sweet as we appear…Pretense and pretending have never really been God’s thing."

OUCH!  That statement stepped on my toes, at first.  Until I allowed it to sink in completely.

My {REAL} life has issues.  Lots of issues.  But I try to NOT cover them up any more.  I try to confront those issues head on with my cute bob and smile!

I am confident of this promise....

"I am certain that God, who began the good work within you,

will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

~Philippians 1:6

So, until that good work is complete in my life, the {REAL} me will continue to fail.  Daily.  But, I will continue to cling to the promise of Truth.  The Truth that I am just a sinner saved by grace.