A Willingness To Be Seen

Hello Beauties! I’m back! I didn’t want to leave you too long this time, despite the holiday weekend and a much needed getaway with my husband. It was our first time away together since our marriage meltdown last fall. And even though the enemy tried to stir up some old stuff the night before {of course}, and even though we missed each other’s hearts the first night and spent most of dinner in an awkward silence {happens sometimes}, we fought for connection and enjoyed a really sweet time together. It was worth the fight, and I’d do it again! {That’s something I want to write more about in time: fighting for your marriage.}

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So here I am, bursting at the seams to tell you a story so divinely orchestrated that you won’t have to strain very hard to see the glory of it all. But I can’t dive in just yet. Oh, I’d love to, but I’m wrestling with how to honor the ones I love who aren’t so ready, while also honoring God who has told me this is His story and it’s time for me to tell my part of it. I trust your hearts to see the beauty of it all, but this is the internet after all, and sharing even pieces of stories here can feel like entirely too much exposure for some. I get it. I’m pretty vulnerable here, but you’ll never hear every detail unless you’re sitting right beside me. There’s something powerful that happens when you get to see another person’s response to your stories, especially the painful ones. It heals something in you. {That’s yet another post for another time.}

But regardless of when or where I tell my whole story, and when or where you tell yours, here is something that’s at the top of my heart today: Are we willing to be seen? Am I? Are you? It’s not always as easy as it sounds.

When I shared the photos my daughter took of me in the last post, I felt vulnerable. But I also felt willing to be seen. Why? Because I desire to feel deeply, truly known. Don’t you? After 41 years and plenty of hiding, I’ve come to this conclusion: the only way to be fully known is to allow yourself to be fully seen.

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Let me be clear, I’m not saying everyone needs to post a picture of themselves as proof that they desire to be seen. But for some of you, that might be a big deal. Maybe you’ve been hiding behind the camera like me. Or maybe you’ve been hiding behind veneers of performance, perfection, people pleasing, you name it. Coming out from your hiding places and allowing yourself to be seen is one of the bravest steps you can take toward being fully known. Your desire to be fully known is beautiful! But it won’t just come about on its own. You have to take the small steps each day.

Revealing yourself as you truly are on the outside is one way to be seen, but the real work is allowing yourself to be exposed and known from the inside. And not just the parts of you that have already been refined and made beautiful, but the parts of you that are still broken and in transition. Perhaps the bravest of all is to let others see the parts of you that are somewhere in the foggy, messy middle where you have no clue how or when things are going to be any different. You just keep daring to believe they will be…someday.

A friend shared these words from Brené Brown on Facebook last week. They sync perfectly with what’s on my heart these days. {Though I’d trade the word “universe” with God, because that’s who I hear whispering in my ear.}

”I think midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear: I’m not screwing around. It’s time. All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt – has to go.

Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever.

Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.”

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It’s time to show up and be seen. This is what a Bravehearted Beauty does. She has the courage to show up and be seen. She has the faith to believe what God says about her even if she’s not feeling it: radiant, beautiful and delighted in daughter of the King! And she has the confidence to let others see the beauty and glory of God that shines from within her.

Made in His image, you’re naturally beautiful and glorious! So rise up, Bravehearted Beauties! Rise up and let your/God’s glory be seen!