Behind the Masks

 You might have noticed recently that many of your facebook friends are sharing their 10-year look back facebook movie. Maybe you've even created one yourself. I didn't watch many of my friends' movies because they aren't real. Most people only share the best parts of their lives on social media. What you see on the screen are their "highlights." Add to this the fact that facebook movies only include the beginning and the 'most liked' photos and posts, and we are watching someone's best of their best. So when you are seeing someone's facebook movie, keep that in mind. What you are seeing is not what is going on in their actual, real life. 

 I was reminded of this when I watched an interview with Tom Hanks. He has made so many great movies, yet surprisingly he only watches them once. He stated that the reason he doesn't re-watch his own movies is because for him, it's not just watching a movie. He is watching a point in time when actual, real life things were going on in his actual, real life. He stated on an interview with Dave Letterman that he occasionally sees something he has made on cable and thinks "It was a Thursday, it was raining, I just had an argument with my son." To which Dave replies "What you try to do is remove that all-together...but when you see it, it brings all that right back." Then they agree, you just can't do it. But what we see is a seamless presentation of a story. Whether it is fiction or based on actual events, it is not the whole truth. 

 I have found, though, a couple of amazing women who gave the okay to share their Facebook movie along with their actual, real life stories. Keep in mind that these events they share occurred during the time they had a Facebook account. I also wanted to share my Facebook movie and the behind-the-scenes commentary, which you can find at the end of this post.

 

 "Wow! 8 years! I loved looking at all these pictures. But I have to be REAL. A lot of pictures during this time were deleted. What this video won't show is the pain, heartache, and struggle. My "blooper reel" would highlight my past struggle with an eating disorder, sex, alcohol, and cutting. It would magnify getting pregnant before marriage, and a very painful and hurtful previous marriage. BUT my ultimate highlight reel would magnify how God grabbed me IN that ditch and transformed my life! HE changed me and gave me peace and joy in the middle of my train-wrecked marriage, miscarriage and through a painful divorce. HE redeemed my life and has blessed me beyond what I could ever deserve!! I am so thankful for a Godly (and real) marriage, precious children, wonderful family and friends, and a GOD who saves" - Lauren

 "What a journey these past 10 years have been. There is a reason there are no photos from 2004-2007.... In the depths of addiction and pain, there thankfully are no photos of that part of my story. If this reel showed the whole story, you would see a deep struggle with alcoholism, drugs, sex and bodily mutilation. A desperate and empty life until I called out to The Lord and He rescued me. I met Jesus and found out what true love was all about. He turned my life around, healed my scars and gave me a brand new name. Because of Him I am still here to experience the blessing that this reel shows. Jesus did for me what I could never do for myself. His love gave me a reason to live and allowed me to live a life filled with the joy of knowing Him." - Danielle

 I honestly don't believe many pictures were deleted from my video. What you see is a pretty sweet life, and it really has been! That is, the life you see. But there is something that you don't see and you will never see. The reason I didn't delete pictures or posts is because I had another life. Part of me lived in a way that is so secret, there are no pictures and no posts as evidence that I ever lived that way. I'm so thankful that God reached down and pulled me up from the pit that I dug for myself. It has been a life-changing experience. Although you have no idea where in my 9-year facebook life that change occured, just like Tom Hanks, when I watch it I remember every moment. I am filled with emotion ranging from sadness to anger and ultimately to joy.

 Though every day is different and still filled with trials and disappointments, we have learned to lean on The Lord for strength. Let God bring that joy into your life. Don't ever be afraid to take off your mask and let others see the real you.

I Have A Gift

 There are items in our home that we regularly use for a different purpose than the one for which they were intended. A great example of this is our floor sweeper. It's purpose is to reach under the furniture and sweep all of the dust off of the floor. We often use it to retrieve toys or other small items that have accidently found their way to a place that we can not reach. We use it so much for this purpose that when I was cleaning, my oldest son asked me "what are you trying to get?"

 

 There are so many things that are commonly used for an alternate or additional purpose. A toothbrush. A toothbrush is a great scrubber. The ones that are recommended now are soft-bristle, so they aren't quite as effective as a scrubber. But they still work. We have used a toothbrush for scrubbing grout, getting stains out clothes, cleaning shoes, etc.

 

 Using tangible items for multiple purposes doesn't usually hurt anyone. But what if we started misusing other things? Some examples are a woman who uses her beauty to manipulate others; children and pets who use their cuteness to get out of trouble; people who use their intelligence for illegal purposes. One thing that these examples have in common is that they are God-given traits. We were all born with God-given gifts that are unique to each one of us.

 

 When we are born into God's kingdom, we are given a special gift. The gift is special because it is only given to followers of Christ, and it is only of value when we allow God to use it for his purpose. These are referred to as "spiritual gifts."

 

 I have the spiritual gift of discernment. I have taken many gifts tests, and this one always comes out on top. I'm not exactly sure of everything this gift encompasses, but I will share a way I have seen it manifested in my life. During a spiritual discussion with others I often find myself thinking "that's not true," or "yes, exactly." Many times I have no clue where this analyzing comes from, but I always research God's Word after the discussions and find answers that match what I felt at the moment. There is no logical explanation, it is just the Holy Spirit speaking to me and telling me what is truth and what is not.

 

 I know this sounds a whole lot like bragging. I'll admit it is a great gift to have. Sometimes I even remind my husband with the statement "I know, because I have the gift of discernment." Let me be honest. Just like the toothbrush, I have used my gift abrasively. Just like the examples above, I have used my gift to harm others.

 

 I have another personality trait, we'll call this one a flaw. It is the desire to be right. I have let this desire to be right interfere with God's plan for me and others. I have found myself dictating to others why I am right and they are wrong. If you are reading this and think "this is about me," you're probably right. But I assure you, you are not the only one I've done this to.

 

 I've spent time praying about how to appropriately use this for the good of God's kingdom and lift up others. The answer is very clear: I need to shut my mouth. When there is a believer that needs some help understanding something or verifying truth, I know they will ask me. I am mentoring a couple of young girls, and in that case I am free to speak truth into their lives. In love. After all, they did sign up for that. I can also use this gift to lift up others who need to hear that they are loved, forgiven, and cherished. The most important thing I must remember is that it is not about me being right, it is about God being right. I just need to move out of the way. AmIRight?