Pearls of Great Value

Honesty is just so beautiful it can't be put into words. Think about it. It's that look on a baby's face when he glimpses mommy. That look of love on a 3 year old baby girl as she watches her daddy sneak her goodies after mommy refused to. I love the look of one lost in thought. I love that first glimpse of happiness after receiving a surprise gift. I love the look of in-between, you know that look when you throw a baby in the air and they don't know if they should shout with glee or scream in fear? That look always makes me laugh. Or the look that one makes as they succeed in accomplishing a thing at first try, surprising themselves. Oh! And the look on a guys face when the girl that they've liked forever smiles at them? Priceless.

Some things stick with you. Like, the look on grandmas face as grandpa brings her a bouquet of flowers for no reason. I'll never forget it. The note on the table meant for you this morning but you're only now finding it and it's been a long day. That look and those tears. They do me in. The easy and comfortable way a husband reaches for his wife's hand as they are walking along...that one always makes me smile. I love the look of a home that is lived in— there's shoes at the front door, some dishes in the sink, a book and blanket on the couch and toys on the floor. Oh, and fingerprints on the window saying, "I was here!" 

I love the sounds of honesty. Sitting around a campfire and spilling secrets of the heart. The sound of unrestrained laughter. The sound of two friends as they find a puddle of water and there's no one around to stop the fun. The sound of a crowd sitting and visiting. I love the hush right before sunset. The snore of a best friend. The instantaneous sound that bursts forth in a stadium as people celebrate. I'm in love with the pure unfiltered sound of one in worship, just him and God. I love the sound of prayer, right from the heart, the way it touches and holds you captive. I love the sound of a whispered conversation, the way it somehow squeezes my heart. Or the gentle manner in which a father teaches his son to be a gentleman. I love when people forget their surroundings and just become their true selves. I especially love when the inner child breaks forth in a grown-up. I love when a person finally lets go and shares their heart. I live for those moments, I admit it. I fall in love with them all the time, over and over, I can't help it. It's one of the most beautiful things in this world. 

And if I'm being really honest, I can admit that those moments of honesty require a whole lot of vulnerability. Maybe that is why we are attracted to those moments in time. Not only because they are precious and unique but because they are real. So often we are faced with deceptions especially when it comes to people. Most are afraid to show their true selves. Most have been through hurt, have suffered ridicule, have been made fun of..why would they open up and become vulnerable again? But oh when they do! I'm in love with the real in people. 

I'm not sure what I want to convey in this message. I just felt the need to write it down. I believe that God admires and loves the real in us as well. How do I know this? We are instinctively attracted to heaven and so, when we catch a glimpse of it here on earth we are pulled towards it. Honesty is a valuable quality of heaven and its like a magnet. Anyway, I can't resist it's pull. So, yes, I believe God is attracted to honesty. When I'm at my weakest and I come to Him and admit it? Yes, I am vulnerable, but this honesty causes Him to rise up for me in power and strength. When I'm tempted and instead of giving in I turn to Him and say, I need Your help? His heart beats for that.

Actually, I can almost guarantee that when we are not being honest and vulnerable with God, the relationship is broken. Or not at the strength that it could be. Let's be real. If I'm waiting to be perfect before I come to Him? I'll never come. And if I believe I'm almost perfect and I come thinking I don't need anything? He can't meet my need if I don't admit to having a need. He's a gentleman, in the sense that He won't overstep the boundaries I make. Will He push against them to make me rethink things? Sure. But ultimately He's after our real true selves. Our all. All our heart means all our problems and broken places. It means our weaknesses as much as our strengths. 

This week, I urge you to notice the honest moments around you. Then think of how much God values them as well. If it brings a smile to your face, it makes Him smile too. And if you can, be real with Him. Bring everything to the table. Tell Him your story, your hurt, your struggle, your victory, your goals, and don't hold back. Let Him in. Then sit back and listen. Just listen. Ask Him for wisdom and knowledge, and let Him answer. He'll be honest with you as well. In kindness, He'll be honest with you. 

I live for moments of honesty. God does too. Maybe that's all this article was meant to convey. Let's be honest and let's let it matter. And may you discover along the way that living (and honestly doing so) for an audience of One is more rewarding and peaceful than trying to please a thousand others with a counterfeit you. May His voice be the loudest voice you hear and may eternity be your foremost reality. 

Live for truth and truth will fight for you. Yep. That's it. That's all I wanted to say. Smiles!