Gò0dNews for Everyone
Live A Lived-In Life by Lauren Simpson
I
was tidying up the house a few days ago, and as I threw
will carry us, so why do we try and cover it up, suggesting
something in a bedroom and closed the door, I was
that we paint on “I’m doing pretty well” better than He can
immediately struck with conviction. I was cleaning up for
carry us?
someone to come over, and I wanted to make sure the living
He can give us that perfect peace even when we aren’t
spaces were tidy, but I had zero concern for the bedrooms.
doing well, when we’re in the trenches. There is something
Why? Because they weren’t going in the bedroom. They
so beautiful about His grace in those dark places. And y’all,
wouldn’t see that I just threw in ladybug wings, a pack of
if we tuck the dark places away, we’re tucking that grace
wipes, and dirty socks. They would see the tidy house, the
away with it. I do it all the time. Her name is fake Lauren,
one that doesn’t show all the clutter that’s usually laying around. They would see the un-lived-in house, the HGTV-ready show house. And y’all, it hit me: isn’t this what we do with our lives? We tuck the worst parts of us in corners of our hearts and package ourselves up neat and tidy to present ourselves to the world. It’s the “fake it ’til you make it” mentality. We don’t want people to see just how truly “lived-in” that we are. We don’t want them to see the dark thoughts, the battle scars, and the "not-so “Jesus girl” moments. But then, I read this: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more
and she is amazing: literally amazing, y’all. I have mastered
gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may
the skills to the point that real Lauren and fake Lauren can
rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
almost look identical. It takes a person super close to me to
We don’t have to tuck the dark places away from
see the difference. It’s so sad because it’s so unnecessary.
anyone. In fact, we can boast about those weaknesses. We
And hiding my weakness is hiding God’s grace. I don’t
can be open, honest, and vulnerable about our dark places.
know about y’all, but hiding anything about God just
Why? Because in those dark places, there’s grace.
sounds like a bad idea to me.
Y’all, we don’t have to hide it all. We don’t have to paint
I want to live my life more lived-in than “show-ready.” I
on an un-lived-in look. But it’s exactly what we do. We tuck
want to be honest with myself and others about where I am
the shame, heartache, and failures away, never to be seen.
and how God has been faithful in those times.
I’m not suggesting that we live in dark places forever: just that maybe we try to be where we are. He is faithful, and He
34 // March 2020
About The Author
Now, there is a time and place for things, I know that. And Lauren Simpson is a follower of Christ, wife to David, and mother of three. Her daughter Berkley and son Henry passed away shortly after their birth, while her daughter Sadie is a thriving 4-year-old. Lauren enjoys reading, blogging, and spending time with her family!
