My family is private. Real private. Share personal stories
on Facebook? Not happening. Answer the “How have you been?” question with
anything other than “Great!” or a very, VERY short list of exciting
accomplishments? Out of the question. No, their lives aren’t perfect, but you’re
not going to know that. After all, positive stories make for much better dinner
conversation and no one wants to be known for airing dirty laundry!
Before you can say it, yes, I am the proverbial “black sheep”
blabbermouth, wears-her-heart-on-her-sleeve member of the family. If my father
were still alive, he would be reprimanding me harshly for sharing my personal
health information on this blog. As it is, my mother just rolls her eyes and
reminds me that “No one really wants to hear about your health. It’s boooring!”
Well, yes, it probably is to most people.
Fortunately, I’m not writing this blog for “most people.” I’m
writing it for you, that person who, like me, is struggling to accept or deal
with or find purpose in a not-so-great health situation. Someone who is
actually looking for someone who is
willing to share honestly and openly about their struggles. Someone who just wants
to know they are not alone. Someone who wants to know there is hope.
To truly connect with one another, we have to get real, something most people aren’t
prepared to do. We live by the mottos “Put your best foot forward,” “Dress for success,” and even “Fake it until
you make it!” These are fantastic ideas for business, keeping a positive
attitude, and making positive impressions everywhere you go. But after awhile,
it gets tiring wearing that mask, doesn’t it? Perhaps that’s why we feel safest
at home by ourselves, or with our families and closest friends. Hopefully, you
have at least one or two people in your life with whom you can let your hair
down, take off your shoes, and relax.
You can put away the perfect pretense. If you’re having a bad day, you can share it. If
you’re in a bad mood, you can own it. And if you hurt (inside or out), you can
admit it. You can be real.
When I first suspected my rheumatoid arthritis, I searched
on the Internet for as much information as I could lay my hands on. Upon my diagnosis, I looked further to try and find some support groups. What I
found were lots of people who were very
real. They were raw with pain, in agony trying to make sense of their disease and
trying to sort through all the options for treatment. For all the pain, though,
I didn’t find what I really needed: hope. Yes, I wanted people to be real, but
wasn’t there somewhere I could go that would offer both reality and hope? At the time, I could find
nothing. Thus, the idea for Spring Sight
was born.
One of the first questions I had to ask myself, in writing
this, was “What qualifies me?” The truth? Absoutely nothing. Well, except that you and I have a shared experience
of a chronic illness and that we have the same source of hope: Jesus Christ.
Paraphrasing this week’s key verse from 2 Corinthians, I have nothing to boast
about other than my weakness, which is there for the primary purpose of showing
Christ’s strength. It is only through faith in Him that I have hope of an
abundant life, regardless of my health or other circumstances, and it is only
through His power that I am writing this blog.
Spring Sight is not designed to
bring attention to me or even to a particular illness like RA. It is designed
to be a place where reality and hope meet. Where you and I can get real
together, and at the same time, develop a real
faith and trust in the God who says, “I will never leave or forsake you.”
No, He won’t. No matter what. No matter how real you get. Or how good or bad
that reality is today.
I am hoping that as Spring Sight’s audience grows, it will
become less of a monologue and more of a dialog. I am willing to share my
experience, strength and hope with you. Will you do the same for me and for the
other readers, by sharing in the comments? I would love to hear your stories.
Take a chance. Get real!
Get Real! originally appeared on Spring Sight blog, by Linda W. Perkins. Get even more encouragement by following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
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