I'm Going To Be The Best Me I can Possibly Be

I can remember the first time the concept of being authentic pierced my heart.I was 14 and at a Youth For Christ meeting when our director was sharing from his heart about his goal to be authentic. I, in my teenage maturity decided to test him on it and called out " So then what are you most ashamed of in your life?" ( reflecting back now, this might be a time I add to my own list.) Instantly there were gasps and darting glances from the other kids. Everyone sat in disbelief that I asked it and yet eyes glued on him to see how he would respond. Without missing a beat, he simply replied " I am ashamed that I don't give more of my time to my wife and children."
And in that moment I understood what it meant to authentic. That moment in history would forever be in my heart. That is the day my pursuit of authenticity began.
According to Webster's Dictionary to be Authentic is be "not imaginary, false or imitation."
Hmm, In this society all we are fed is imaginary images of how we should look and be. We strive to imitate those around us. If only I could be as beautiful as Angelina Jolie, smart as Oprah, funny as Ellen, spiritual as Beth Moore! Will I ever entertain like Martha Stewart, be as good a mother as.., be as good a wife as.., be as accomplished as..???
And when we don't measure up- we fake it! We fake it to others and for ourselves. Sad.
So now there are women running around trying to be perfect versions of the next. God must look down and shake His head. We know better! He knit us together in our mother's womb and I think we can agree that God did not drop a stitch when creating us. He personally gifted us, and yet we try to obtain gifts of those we admire instead of making our gifts admirable.
And you know what? I'm horrible at imitations- but I do a pretty good Me.


" Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." - Judy Garland