She often puts pictures on social media that give us all a peak into her families adventures. A lot of us do it...we snap a picture of something that is making us smile and a few clicks later it is added to our "highlight reel". Highlight reel??? I'm glad you asked!! Let me explain... A couple years ago my teenage daughter shared a quote that she heard in youth group. "Don't compare your behind the scenes to someone else's highlights." Wow! What a great way to look at it! That's what we do and yup I am guilty...guilty of comparing my life to the parts of other peoples lives that they think are picture, and/ or status worthy. The parts they are willing to show when we enter their homes. The small glimpses of their life that are real but not complete.

I am guilty...guilty on two fronts. I see your highlights and I forget mine. I share my highlights but they are just that. Rarely do I expose my behind the scenes...the things that don't make the cut. All this highlight viewing can leave us feeling like...well...like less. Less of a mom, less of a daughter, less of a friend, less of a spouse and sadly less blessed. So I think its time to get real...get real so we don't forget how blessed we really are!

Let's first get real with ourselves! Remember most of what we see in others is ONLY what they are willing to let us see. The same friend that is once again taking another, amazing, picture worthy, vacation might spend every night arguing with her husband and be on the brink of divorce. The same friend who's life always seems perfect in every way could be nervously awaiting test results...results that leave her on the brink of a life changing cancer diagnosis. The same friend whose house always looks like a model home could be spending everyday stressed because finances are bad...soooo bad...they are on the brink of bankruptcy.  For every highlight we see, there are scenes that wont make the cut. You might not want all that's attached to the rest of that highlight reel

Second let's get real with others. I'm not suggesting that we all turn into poster children for a "Negativity Campaign". I am not suggesting that you air all your dirty laundry. I am suggesting that we simply find value in exposing some of what doesn't usually make the cut. I'm suggesting sharing more of your real in an effort to encourage others. I am suggesting that maybe we don't race around cleaning our house the next time a friend is scheduled to stop by. Instead let them see your real. I am suggesting that an occasional picture that shares the ugly won't hurt

Let's get real...real intentional about using the highlights to motivate us when needed but never letting it make us feel like less. You are not less!!!! You were created by God and for Him. He made each of us with special abilities and talents. We are all blessed in different ways!  We all experience different trials and hardships. We know that "God can use ALL things for good..."   

I'm going to kick starting some "real sharing" by posting a [a photo above] of our [some of our] mess. This is a big deal for me because I'll admit I am slightly inclined to perfectionism in the way of house keeping and its really NOT a good thing!!! Just ask my family! Mess makes me feel true anxiety...like I cant breathe...literally. Here's the thing, its only our mess that makes me feel that way. Other peoples mess...well it's just that...their mess. So don't be worried if I come for a visit!! Your mess will help put me at ease!! It will help me to not feel like less!!! So go ahead, go be real!!!!!

And if you dare, I hope you'll share some of your "behind the scenes!!! Psalm 139: 14 " I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works...