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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Shiny Happy Faces

Last night I made homemade guacamole with some very large avocados that we purchased from a Mexican grocery store.  They were much nicer looking than the ones we usually buy at the local market down the street.  I couldn't wait to get them peeled and get that guacamole made!

As I peeled back the beautiful green skin, I saw dark spots and bruising that wasn't evident from the outside of the avocado.  There were several soft parts that I had to cut away.  I was taken aback because I fully expected the heart of these avocados to be better than their smaller counterparts that I usually buy.  Funny...they looked so perfect from the outside, without bruise or blemish.  However, after I peeled the skin and removed the bad places, we had a beautiful tasty bowl of guacamole!

Yummy guacamole
I caught myself wondering, "what do I try to hide with make-up, pretty clothes and a smile.  Can you look at me and see hurts and bruises that I've encountered along life's way or do I do a pretty good job of covering up those dark places?  Do you want to take the time and effort it entails to peel back the shiny outside and get to the heart of me, helping to cut away dead places, heal the bruised spots?"

My shiny happy face!
I have a feeling that we're all like that.  We put on pretty shiny happy faces because in order to be considered successful in any area of our lives, we're not supposed to expose our frailties, our imperfections.  But when you look past those parts that aren't considered healthy, we are really quite tasty dishes!!!  You've heard it said that "we are made up of the sum of our parts."  Sometimes the bruises and the soft spots are what adds flavor to what makes us who we are.  If you've suffered heartbreak or trials, dear heart, don't worry and fret.  Getting through, standing tall and beating the odds is what makes you the person we know and love!  If there are parts of your life that you don't like, wish you could change, or cut out, ask the Lord to bring people across your path who will care enough to peel back the shiny layers, gently expose your hurts and help you deal with them!  Then your shiny happy face will be indicative of what's on the inside and not be hiding something you are afraid to let others see.  That's what we're here for anyway; to establish bonds with people who we are willing to "do" life with!

From His Lap,

26 comments:

  1. I enjoyed reading your blog today! Thanks for stopping by mine, too. Isn't it amazing how sometimes the simplest of objects can reveal such thoughtful lessons?
    http://mamawolfe-living.blogspot.com

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  2. Thank you so much for stopping by, Jennifer! Who would have thought an avocado could teach me a nugget of truth??
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  3. How very beautifully written and true. It is a delight to meet you, through Lisa.
    love, jean

    PS:I love the photos of your family. You are so blessed!

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  4. I love your comment on the side bar about "creating yourself!" So true!

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  5. Thank you for stopping by, Jean. I will be sure to get the journal in the mail to you right away. I pray my blog blessed you!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  6. Mama Teacher lady, thanks so much for stopping by for a visit! Your posts about your dog make me laugh!!!
    Blessings,
    Erin

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  7. I love that God is in the ultimate makeover business!

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  8. Hi Erin -

    I've never visited your site without hanging around spying, thinking, reflecting; been here again for quite a while.

    ~ask the Lord to bring people across your path who will care enough to peel back the shiny layers, gently expose your hurts and help you deal with them!~

    Happy Tuesday evening, Erin :)

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  9. Donna,
    Thank goodness God is in the makeover business, huh! I sure need it! Thanks for stopping by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  10. Happy Tuesday evening, Brian! You bless me every time to visit here! Thanks so much for coming by and hanging out!
    Bless you,
    ~Erin

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  11. I have read your words so I know you beautiful on the inside and now I see your picture and you are beautiful on the outside.....You are such a blessing and I love coming for visits.

    And I do hope I continue to know you deeper and deeper sweet girl....

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  12. OMG, Nancy, you made me blush. Thank you so much for your kind words. It means so much to me that you visit and read my posts!
    You bless me!
    ~Erin

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  13. So true Erin, I appreciate your wise words encouraging vulnerability and community. I think we are gifts to each other and grace make relationships possible and sweet.

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  14. Beck,
    Yes, I love that...we are gifts to each other!! That makes life sweet!
    Thanks so much for stopping by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  15. Hi Erin - I think what you say is so true, although I don't live avos! (oops!) I also think what we go through does ultimately come through the flavour of who we are. So long as the flavour that stands out the most is the goodness and grace of Christ in us.
    Great nugget of truth
    God bless
    Tracy

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  16. And to think some people spend a fortune on a makeover!we get it all for free! Great post Erin.

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  17. Tracy, you are so right! "The flavor that should stand out the most is the goodness and grace to Christ in us!" I love that. Thanks so much for sharing!
    You are a true blessing and I always love when you stop by and leave us a nugget!!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  18. Lorraine,
    A heavenly makeover is better anyday!!! Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  19. Beautifully stated... Imperfections are a part of us and lead us to where we are today.

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  20. Kelly,
    Yes!! Imperfections give us flava!!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by and following my blog.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  21. Love your blogs! So much! Great analogy. Now we need to do photos of what WE look like with our dark spots and blemishes showing! ;)
    Dianne

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  22. Now Dianne, wouldn't that be a sight!! Hahaha!!
    Love you, sister. See you at book club tonight!
    ~Erin

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  23. Wow Erin this is a beautiful post. I'm your new friend on VB and am SO glad I have found your blog. Your positivity and increible outlook on life is contagious and I look forward to reading more of your inspirational reading.

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  24. Katherine,
    Thank you for such kind words. I LOVE your blog!!
    Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm glad my post blessed you!
    ~Erin

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  25. I really enjoyed this post, and it spoke directly to me today. I grew up in a family that believed it was proper to hide any imperfections or unhappiness, and it has taken me my lifetime to recognize how truly unhappy that makes me and what I miss in the process. Still a work in progress, and I appreciate these reminders. Thank-you!

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  26. Cookie's Mom,
    Isn't it sad when we spend almost a lifetime trying to cover up who we really are. It's wonderful when we are surrounded by people who love us regardless of our flaws!
    I'm so glad you stopped by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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