05. Free To Be Real
Feeling a bit like the Velveteen Rabbit these days? Worn down, worn out, and more than a little frayed? I know I am. Fortunately, there is a place to go where we can feel completely loved and tremendously valued. Join me as we discover the joy of being real with the One who turns our frayed edges, rips, and missing parts into something beautiful.
Episode Transcript
00:06
Hi, and welcome to the Freetobe Podcast. This is Season One, Episode Five, titled Free To Be Real.
0:15
I'm feeling a bit like the Velveteen Rabbit these days. Worn down, worn out, and more than a little afraid. It's been 15 months since COVID became official and try as I might, between days of confident hope, I still feel weak, and sometimes a bit depressed.
0:33
My husband has advised me on numerous occasions to avoid all media all the time. But I'm an inquisitive woman. I want to know what's happening in Washington. Who exposed what? Where are we required to wear masks? And where are we free to be normal again?
0:52
Sometimes I just want to put my hands on my hips and scream, "You're not the boss of me!" And then I think, "Somebody's got to be in charge." Oy vey! We can't all live our lives looking out for number one like toddlers. Can you imagine a world like that? Everyone screaming when they don't get their own way. Throwing tantrums, throwing things when life doesn't go their way. Oh, well. Maybe you can.
1:19
Truth is I kind of like being in charge of making my own decisions. I think a lot of other people do too. Many times, however, my decisions affect the people I love. And if the decision I make is not a good one, they could suffer the consequences with me. I don't like that feeling one bit.
1:39
Plop. They go on the mud puddle with me. Oh, no, there goes an eye. While the Velveteen Rabbit was worn because it was deeply loved, I've grown weary and worn for the opposite reason. All of this social distancing and mask-wearing and fear-based thinking has rendered me feeling a bit unloved and has perhaps played into a few not-so-good decisions.
2:03
Maybe you know the feeling. You haven't seen your aging parents or grandparents in months except at an acceptably safe distance bereft of hugs and kisses. You haven't been in close contact with friends or seen a concert in ages. And your kids really need to have a play date with someone besides you.
2:25
While we can't change the world, we can thankfully change what's going on in our hearts and minds. And we can hold on to the hope of something better. Why rob today if it's joy worrying about what may happen tomorrow? Didn't someone else talk about that? Oh, yes, the apostle Paul wrote, "Do not be anxious about anything. But in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
3:04
While my being real has resulted in some frayed nerves and intermittent anxiety over headlines and social media posts, the only thing I know for sure, is that God sees and hears and knows. And he loves us too much to leave us where we are.
3:23
I don't know about you. But I am desperate for connection and laughter and joy. And I'd kind of like to drop those extra pounds that found my backside this past year. So I've decided to take my realness to God each day. Trusting that He will restore my joy, renew my hope for the world, and maybe even help me spruce up my outside a bit. From my real to your real, I pray you'll consider doing the same.
3:55
We might continue to struggle with frays and rips and missing parts, but like the boy's love for the Velveteen Rabbit, God's love is powerful enough to declare us valuable and beautiful anyway. In His heart, we are always free to be real.
4:16
Thanks for joining us today on this special episode of the Freetobe Podcast. I look forward to sharing the next episode with you soon.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai