Genuine

Here is the truth... I'm a jerk. And I'm ok with that.

I am sick of people trying to change me. And I am sick of trying to change for people.

Now before any of you throw God at me, please remember, I am not saying I don't want God to change me.

I have come to the realization that yes, God is changing me every day to be more like Him. But that we are not all meant to be clones of each other. We all have different personalities and different traits and that's what makes us special.

I have come to realize that I'm not Holly Housewife. And I am not the ghetto street chick. I'm not goody two shoes church girl and I'm not the loner who sits in the corner.

I'm just me. And I have my days, just like anyone else.

I have a unique story. A unique history. Unique traits and unique expeiriences.
I don't need to be just like you.

It's what we've been through that make us who we are. The good times and bad.

So love me for my past, love me for my future, love me for what has happened, love me for what will happen, love me for my mistakes, love me for the wonderful achievements, love me for where I've been, love me for where I will go.

I was goign to post the lyrics from "Who will love me for me?" by JJ Heller but then I realized that in one line it says who will love me... "Not for what I have done or what I will become". But I want more than that. I want someone who loves me for what I have done, good and bad. And what I will become. Love me for the times I am crying in my closest, praying to God for a single ounce of hope, and love me for the times I am standing on stage proclaiming God's love and glory to a body of believers. Love me when I am fat. Love me when I am skinny. Love me when I look like crap. Love me when I look gorgeous.

Because I have a secret for you: All of this is what makes me, me.

If you want to befriend a cardboard cut out, someone with out hurt of pain, you should go do that.

If you want to befriend someone broken and hopeless, you should do that too.

But neither of those are me.

I have bad days, good days, a history dotted with tears and with smiles, with blood stains, and radiant sun.

And you do to.
So stop trying to be who you're not. If you'll be real with me, I'll be real with you.

Cause it's where we've been, the choices we've made, the good, the bad, and where we're going that makes us who we are.

And the strange thing is... with all that in mind. The tattered tapestry of life with all the good and bad... God still loves you. God still chose you. God still has a plan for you. God sees all of that and doesn't think of something bad, he sees a lost lamb, who He loves. A little lamb who He loves enough to leave 99 others to just search for you.

God knows you, and He loves you.
God knows me, and He loves me.
He doesn't love me for what I could be, but for who I am.
And He uses me.