the fauxy life

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This is a picture of a cake I made several years ago – one thing you will not see in this “picture of perfection” is that this cake really isn’t cake at all!

Does the word Faux ring a bell? Does styrofoam sound divinely delectable to you?!


Yep under all that tasty icing is nothing but dry crusty styrofoam made to “look” like cake. A FAKE.
Sometimes things just don’t appear as they really are.


Have you ever taken note of that beautifully dressed and not stressed mother of 4 in the pew across from you? Her children are perfectly obedient, and are sitting attentively in their row. Her husband even has his arm around her and gives her a big squeeze. Then you quickly glance to find that your husband is at the opposite side of the pew {or not even there at all due to taking your child to the bathroom for discipline!} :ahem:


Down deep we wonder what our problem is. “Why can’t I have it all together?!”

What would happen, really happen if we could see through people’s hearts. For one it would be creepy and I wouldn’t want you to see inside mine. And I’m thankful only God can do that. But even then I’m so ashamed.When we compare ourselves to one another we are simply being foolish. We judge what we see, but truly we can’t see the heart.


We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. ….17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.  2 Corinthians 10:12,17

 
You see “the beautifully dressed and not stressed mother of 4”, was frantically running around trying to find her toddlers shoes just hours before that Sunday morning, while her 4 year old was whining about the lines on his dress socks. A bowl of spilled cereal was on the table when she walked out her door that morning. And she snapped at her husband at least once in the car on their route to church.


The longer I live the more I believe I’m seeing more clearly – the grass IS NOT greener. When my grass looks brown – and someone else’s looks greener – I simply need to water my grass everyday till it’s green again!  Woman Living Well

We catch glimpses of “beauty” at their very best and absolute brightness. We simply assume that this beautiful person is no where as sinful or as flustered, or messed up like we are. {Been there?!}

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:2

 

So good to know that though I’m not perfect, God thinks I’m priceless!

 

We will never be perfect here on earth. The standard of perfectionism is higher than we could ever imagine or attain! The root of perfectionism is truly a lie from Satan himself. Perfectionism is: sinful pride.

How I long for others admiration, or to think highly of my efforts . {We’re human and have a sin nature!} When we care what the Lord thinks of us, our humility and transparency will truly shine bright. That is when real admiration and high regards will come into play. Not when we’re hoity toity. I want others to see God’s grace shining through my life – not myself. Because again, I am NOTHING without HIM.


Are those around you seeing a messy life filled with God’s grace or are they only seeing an icing covered stryofoam cake life AKA “a fauxy life”?


In some way form or another – we’re all sporting the “fauxy life.” We’re afraid to show others who we really are, instead we sweep our dirtiness under the rug, while we paint a pretty smile on our faces as we walk into Church each Sunday.

If we would just stop comparing and realize we all have problems, we’re all sinners saved by grace – who still fall into sin. Each life DOES have a good amount of stains, rips and tears. And not that we must wallow in our despair – we need stop putting on a fauxy front. Let’s be real, and transparent with each other. Because it’s when we humble ourselves, or say we goofed, those are the kind of friends and women we want to be around anyway, and the friends we want to be!


 There’s nothing as beautiful as the beauty and love of Christ reflected on the faces of believers in Jesus Christ. Or the transformation we see when a person shine’s the lime light back on Christ. You know the ones where the beauty grows deep within and it can’t help but spill forth into everything they do and say. That kind of beauty will never fade despite our failings or our imperfections, because of God’s daily grace.

Your beauty should  not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:3-4

You know how we can encourage each other? It’s not by playing the role of Have-it-all-Hannah or Do-it-all-Doris. It’s by loving others enough to meet them where they are while being what we are: fellow sinners in need. We’ve got to take our eyes off the impossible, ridiculous standards of our materialistic culture with its Me-First emphasis and root ourselves firmly in the Scriptures.  -Passionate Housewives Desperate for God
 
 


Helpful tips I’ve found helpful in freeing myself from perfectionism:


  • Admit Failures: One of the ways I’ve found keeps me from my struggle of perfectionism is admitting my faults. Doing so frees me and takes that useless burden I so often carry around. Admit your failures to God, admit them to your husband, admit them to your children, your circle of friends. Humble yourself and ask for forgiveness and even prayer to grow! You will be blessed!
  • Remind Yourself: that God uses imperfect people. People who are humble, and those who seem insignificant to the worlds standards. He uses the lowly! {Totally fit into that category!}


  • Pray: When you start comparing your life with others, pray for that person whom you are comparing yourself with. Ask the Lord for forgiveness for comparing and ask for wisdom to fight off those thoughts.
Now go live and grow in your imperfect life, and let it shine bright with God’s love & grace!

 

Esther's Signature - GracedSimplicity.com

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