How To Best Support One Another (be honest)

“I’ve always thought you had it all together.” My incredulous look followed her into the sanctuary.

Me? Having it all together?

I’m the one who forgot her son at church … not once, but two Sundays in a row. I’m the one who also forgot said son at daycare.

I’m the girl who arrives minutes late to many appointments, because I’m trying to squeeze in that “one more thing.”

I’m the mama who often feels inadequate and overwhelmed for the task at hand. 

For this fellow church member to believe I was put together, floored me. Had I misled people into believing I’m someone I’m not? Certainly not intentionally. 

Me? Having it all together? To quickly dispel such a silly notion, simply follow me around for oh, say an hour. Or ask my husband or children, or even the caregivers who come in to help with Rachel. 

They’ll set you straight. 

Or simply read this blog for awhile. You’ll get a clear picture of the messiness that is me.

Being Honest About Your Messy Is the Best Policy

Now, I continually try to be more punctual (and not forget my children); however, I’m learning to be okay with the messy side of me.

After all it’s really not about whether we are perfectly put together, but whether we know the One who is. Because God can and does use the most imperfect mess of a person to do great and wondrous things. 

God can and does use the most imperfect mess of a person to do great and wondrous things. #trustHim Click To Tweet

Look at those Jesus tasked to be among His greatest witnesses:

Saul, a violent persecutor of Christians. Peter, a close friend who later betrayed Him.

Matthew, a tax collector (a hated profession).

And let’s not forget His mother was an unwed young girl when asked to take on this most holy assignment.

And look at the main characters of the stories told throughout Scripture:

A prostitute.

An adulteress. 

A widow. 

The disabled. 

The elderly.

Children.

The barren.

Finally, notice how He didn’t hide His own humanness: 

He wept. 

He became angry (note, He never sinned in that anger like we often do).

He let His disciples see His anguish.

Support One Another

Do I need to tell anyone that life isn’t all kicks and giggles? It can be extremely hard. To pretend it’s not is being dishonest and harmful to others. 

The best way we can support one another, then, is to be vulnerable, honest, and truthful. 

So please, don’t think I have it all together. And please, don’t think you need to either. 

Let’s support each other by sharing our joys and our struggles, the beautiful parts of our lives and the messy. Because in those most exposed moments, we can best point others to the Savior who pulls it all together for us. 

Let's support each other by sharing the beautiful parts of our lives 'and' the messy: pointing others to the Savior who pulls it all together for us. Click To Tweet

“Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so through Christ our comfort also overflows.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-5, HCSB

Reflections: Let me be honest first: During this new season of working outside the home, I’m struggling against overwhelm. Now your turn: Are you in a season of joy or sorrow, ease or hardship? Please share openly in the comments, so we can rejoice with and encourage one another. 

By His grace ≈

Julie