The alarm went off at 6:21 a.m. on October 31. I quickly reached over and hit “snooze”, knowing I had nine minutes of precious sleep until I had to be up for real. As I lay in bed I thought about all I had to do that day, well not exactly, it was more like who all I had to be that day.

Nine minutes to the second the alarm went off and I sauntered to the closet blinking back the tiredness from eyes. I pulled out the Mommy Sweats which were hanging between the Pull it all Together for Sunday Ensemble and the Outdo the Other Preschool Moms Jeans. I slowly pulled on the first costume of the day and headed downstairs to do all the mommy duties.

At about 8 a.m. I did a quick costume change to my Keep the Bod Looking Good Workout Wear. Then it was back to the dressing room for Outdo the Other Preschool Moms Jeans and I was out the door to run the class party at my daughter’s preschool.

The party went great, but on the way home I wished I could change into my Be Realistic Pajamas, but oh no, it was off to the next class party at my other daughter’s elementary school. Another great party, but in this crowd I changed into my I’m Only Here to Keep Up with All of You Capris.

Bear with me a little more. I’m sure you all have similar costume changes in your day too.

By the time I pulled in the driveway at 4 p.m. and after a few more costume changes (Running Errands Shoes and Rushing Home Sweater) I was wiped. And wouldn’t you know my husband gave me that look as I walked in the door. You know the one. “I can’t wait to see you in your Red Hot Lover Nightgown tonight.” Ughhh. I slammed the dressing room door and sat on the floor—completely worn out.

I can’t say I was really worn out from all the activities of the day. I was worn out from the many, many costume changes. I was worn out from trying to be someone I’m not.

Whatever happened to just being ourselves in every situation? Are we afraid to be who we really are? Why?

From time to time I find words that I just love. My new favorite word—transparency. It has bombarded me lately and I have to believe God is trying to teach me something. In those quiet moments when he speaks to my heart, I hear; “just be real, just be authentic, just be who I made you to be.”

Perhaps at some point it would be a good idea to read the entire passage of Psalms 139, but for now here is a glimpse of a few verses. Psalm 139:13-14 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

I believe that entire passage in Psalms is telling me that I am a miracle. Do you believe that you are a miracle? I know for some of you, myself included, it is really hard to believe that. So often we listen to what the ugliness of this world tells us and we forget the wonderful uniqueness of who we were created to be.

Oh how we would bless our Creator if we quit hiding behind the “costumes” and put on our real selves. He wants us to rejoice in who we are. He wants to shine through us. This is just a thought, but do you think that the many costume changes in our day block Him from shining through us? Do you think that if we clothed ourselves with transparency, realness and authenticity we would glorify Him in ways we never imagined and in return be blessed beyond measure? Hmmm, sounds nice.

Additional Reading: Captivating, by John and Stasi Eldredge