Have you ever experienced something that hit so close to home you found yourself saying, “That’s me.”
This happened last week when I read a post by Sandrah, at OneMunchingMama. Her masterful piece, A Part of the Picture describes how we often show others only the parts of our life we want them to see.
⏪ to Wednesday night.
I’m standing before my church choir conducting the anthem for Sunday worship. Our regular director, my musical mentor, just handed the rehearsal over to me.
But it’s been a long day. I’m emotionally drained and am just not feeling it. Despite being qualified for the task, my self-confidence is near zero.
“Don’t let them see it,” I say to myself. I rehearse the anthem and return to my comfortable seat in the tenor section.
We’re afraid to show the parts of our life that are still under construction.
Sandrah, from OneMunchingMama
⏩ to Sunday.
Our music director is out of town and I’m leading. As choir members trickle in, one of the sopranos comes up to my wife and me. She takes us each by the hand and prays: “Heavenly Father, help David as he leads today.” That was thoughtful.😊
Later, one of the altos says, “You’re doing a great job. Don’t worry too much about what others think.”
⏸ Uh oh. They know!
The worship service goes according to plan. Afterwards, a friend from the bass section, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, says “You can lead, David, but you don’t always think you can.”
Kind reader, the people who know and love you best are well aware of your shortcomings. Yet they accept you anyway. Today, and every day, don’t be afraid to let the whole picture show. Those that truly matter don’t mind.
But wait, there’s more! God knows and loves you, too.
I have loved you with an everlasting love. I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Jeremiah 31:3b (NIV)
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
37 responses to “Showing the Whole Picture”
Thank you! I thought I replied to this but just saw I had not.
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[…] a post about how hard it is to let our vulnerabilities show to those around us. A fellow blogger, https://davidsdailydose.org/2022/09/10/showing-the-whole-picture/, shared how this post resonated with him and he took the thoughts I had shared and added his own […]
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It can be a challenge to know how much of our personal lives to share with others. I’ve over shared before and gotten burned, but under shared and lost relevancy. It’s like a roll of the dice 🎲 🎲 either way. I aim to be genuine; perhaps that’s enough?
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I had my students give me a piece of advice at the beginning of the year. No discussion. They just wrote it down. A number of them said, “Be real with us.” I’ve gone back and forth from year to year with how much I share with students. I’ve been mentored to keep my personal life personal. In my experience, students (friends) appreciate and relate more to the whole picture.
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Thank you, Ann. God Bless!
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An important challenge, David.
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You’re welcome, Dawn. Thank you for stopping by. God Bless!
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Great advice David, thank you!
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I’m sure you are all good!
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Thanks. I borrowed the buttons idea from another blogger. Surely they aren’t copyrighted? If so, I will ⏹
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Your use of the remote control buttons was genius! It really enhanced the whole post!
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True. It is difficult to show the parts of us we think people may not accept but those who will love us will still love us. That is one of my favorite verses!
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I’ve heard of the Johari window but didn’t make the connection in this case. Thank you for sharing the link, Chris. You always have a wealth of information and are willing to share. God Bless.
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One of the things I teach in my leadership class is the Johari Window. We all have parts of our lives we show, parts we hide, parts in our Blind spots and parts yet to be seen.
Here’s a great paper on it from a Christian perspective.
Click to access NCC-19-03-03-The-Unknown-Quadrant.pdf
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Thanks, Rainer. It was a real eye-opener to realize, yet again, that those closest to me know the true me. Such friends can be God’s messengers of grace. Thank you for reading and commenting. God Bless.
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Great post, brother. Love the transparency. Vulnerability can be scary even though it can draw us closer to God. Congrats on getting the opportunity to direct the church choir. That’s awesome!
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You’re welcome, brother Alan. God’s best to the Kearn’s clan.
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Totally agree!
And, you’re very welcome.
Andy B
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Keeping it REAL is riskier than pretending, but being genuine is better in the long run. Thanks, Andy B.
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Thank you for this precious encouragement David, God bless you today brother 🙏
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“Kind reader, the people who know and love you best are well aware of your shortcomings. Yet they accept you anyway. Today, and every day, don’t be afraid to let the whole picture show. Those that truly matter don’t mind.
But wait, there’s more! God knows and loves you, too”
And isn’t that so tremendously encouraging!?!
Andy B
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This is GOLD,🏅Matt!
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Better to be able, and yet doubt if one can, than to think one can but not be able.
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Thank you, Petrina. God Bless!
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Thanks David. I agree with this post entirely. I think we can all identify with it. And this…
“Those that truly matter don’t mind.
But wait, there’s more! God knows and loves you too.”
Yes, this is so important to remember! 🙏🏾
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Thank you, Sandrah. Your excellent post literally drove me to the keyboard to start a post of my own!
Tag, you’re it.😀
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I am grateful to hear that the thoughts God brought to my mind resonated with you, as well. I never cease to be amazed at how He connects us all together and then ultimately to Him!
Close friends who know us well? It’s like God in flesh, lifting us up with encouragement. So glad you experienced this!
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Amen, sister! Foolish pride may have to take a back seat, but God will bring us through.
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You proved that if God brings you to it, He’ll bring you trough it.
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Thank you, G.W. Yes, my mentor in the ministry used to say that: “Son, we all have feet of clay.” So, there’s no use pretending they’re bronze. God’s best to you.
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Yes, it’s tough to let our vulnerability show; people avoid doing so. What struck me was how I was unable to hide it anyway. Thanks for stopping by, Bridget! God Bless.
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“Hard row to hoe,” my grandmother used to say that!
Showing vulnerability, particularly in a work place setting can be risky. But it still beats putting on airs.
Thanks for sharing, Pastor Pete. God Bless.
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This is a tough one. It can be difficult to let our guard down. Thanks for the encouragement and reminder that we are loved.
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Vulnerabilities. We suffer the most when we try to hide them. And yet we all know we have them. Like you said to me once, “We all have clay feet.” Thanks for this, David. Great job in reminding us that the Lord removed the veil. God bless, brother!
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Thank you, Gary. The irony of thinking they didn’t know hit me in the heart. Vulnerability is risky but still better than putting on airs. Blessings, brother!
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This is a tough row to hoe but you are right. Others are often not so kind when we are honest and yet that is what God wants us to do.
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Well said David. You caught me. You are so right. We can’t hide things from our kids let alone the friends around us.
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