On Faith: A Collective Journey

Authenticity If you know me you know that I am basically a wide open book. I’d like to think that what you see is what you get with me. However, what you might not know is that I spend far too much time worrying about what others will think about my home, about my kids, how I look, and the life choices I make. I don’t shy away from sharing how I feel, about being vulnerable as to my experiences or limitations but when it comes to those material things (nice home, nice clothes), I never quite feel like I can measure up.  I rarely open up my home to host as I’m ashamed that everything is second hand and life is strewn throughout our house, not to mention I don’t enjoying cooking, so what would I possibly feed my guests. Spending time connecting deeply with those I care about, now that’s where I thrive. Hikes in the woods, a coffee by the fireplace, a game night or just relaxing on the deck with a friend is where I am authentically and comfortably myself. I will also seek out authenti...

Several years ago, I was in a season of life as a new parent and was a stay-at-home mom with 4 small children ages 6, 4,2 and 1. It was a crazy time and one full of adventure. I am an extrovert, someone who loves to engage in conversation and life with other people. I come from a big family; 5 children and 2 parents who were always together. That home environment is what I’m used to - the air I breathe - noisy, boisterous, and fun-loving. During my years as a stay-at-home mom, I really missed adult interaction. I needed the company of women to live life with, to grow and develop with and I just wasn’t getting enough of that. There were some things that held me back though, life with 4 kids is fun - and chaotic, messy and sticky. Every day, my house looked like a bomb had went off. How could I invite someone into that mess, a mess that revealed the limits of my parenting and revealed how little control I had over my house and kids? One day it kind of struck me; for many years I lived u...

I. “What would people think?!” My mother’s mantra. “What would people think?!” Her north star. “What would people think?!” The compass she gave me. The compass I followed. The compass I (sometimes struggle to) reject. II. I was never good enough. Too fat, too female, too emotional, too outspoken, too hippie-ish, too asocial, too inconvenient, too demanding, too pretty, too ugly, too outspoken, too opinionated, too ängleshe, too smart, too eating-disorder-y, too independent… too me. III. They shunned me. I couldn’t take it anymore.  Something had to give. So I told him to move out. And they shunned me. That is what people think. But a funny thing happened: I demanded what I needed, And the moods and suicidal thoughts and desperation and pressure stopped. I was stable. I was sane. I was decisive. I was healing. IV. Authenticity. It’s hard for me to write about this. Not because I’m not authentic. But because I don’t think about it. Listen, I’ve struggled. I worked my ass off to fit t...

Authenticity- To me, authenticity is to truly be who God designed us to be.  That in itself is something fluid as God shapes and molds us through our daily learning, experiences and relationships.  For someone like me who tends to overcomplicate things, it is simply to know who I am, to accept my MANY imperfections (and move on!), to daily strive to be my best me for myself, my family, and in my various roles, relationships and responsibilities.  A year a half ago God literally stopped me - physically and mentally. I took time away from working and with intention entered a year of Sabbatical.   The first six months I did little, I rested, recovering from mental exhaustion and some physical challenges - it was a time of healing.   I planned nothing yet God gave me gifts that greatly impacted me:   a friend sent me The Gifts of Imperfection , which I devoured along with several other Brene Brown books (that have since blessed many others); I was surp...

Writing Entry 1 Authenticity First, a brief introduction. My name is Wendy. This year I will be 60 (gasp!). I am a retired educator and academic leader, a partner, daughter of my 91 year old mom who lives with us, a mom of 3 young adults, a ‘ Babi’ to my 2 grandsons, a sister, a friend - the list is long! I know that I am loved by my Heavenly Father, and that He is with me through all the short days and long nights of my life. I hope that He (mostly) gently laughs at me and my human stumblings as I seek to follow Him. Authenticity is a big word, an action word, I think. A word that must be regularly rolled around on one’s tongue, and in one’s heart. Throughout my adult life, the question that I continuously ask is ‘who am I ‘ - in specific situations, in my spheres of friends and in known and unknown areas of influence. As a partner, a wife, a mom, daughter, a friend - who am I? As a woman of God - one who desires to glorify Him through living fully. Who am I ? I have had a rough hist...

Authenticity Authenticity is “being real”.  Real in how we live, talk, and show ourselves to the world.  We live in a plastic, spastic, elastic society, especially in the realm of social media – the crown jewel of disingenuous behaviour. How authentic are people being on social media if all they show is their ‘best’ selfies?  If all they share are their ‘happy thoughts’?  If they are led to believe their value and worth comes from how many likes, followers or friends they accumulate?  If they cannot stand up for their beliefs because it might cross the line of the growing-in-popularity belief system of relativism, so they hold back opinion for fear of being called one who judges?  If they are fearful of keeping their job if they speak out for what they believe is right or wrong? I believe authenticity should mean “full disclosure”, not creative marketing (which could also be referred to as “sin of omission”). Why should I buy “this” house vs. “...

Authenticity – So before I write on a topic I should likely know what the word means – according to the dictionary – being real or genuine: not copied or false; true and accurate: made to be or look like an original. Well, being true, real, genuine, and original; how do I live that? I guess the first thing would be to figure out who I am? I am a 45 year old woman who has just started to realize that her body is getting a little bit older – the eyes have a hard time reading small print and the digestive tract has some health issues that are being worked on. I am a Mom to three wonderful teenage boys that stretch and challenge me each and every day. I am a bus driver. I am an office assistant. I am a custodian. I am a sister. I am a friend. Up until a couple years ago I was a wife. This change in my life has led me to question many many things about who I am and what I am all about. And so… I look for something that is not fleeting. My 45 year old body – failing, my boys will eventu...