Becoming real is something we can experience… if we dare.
“Why are there dots?” TJ asked, with his nose scrunched and voice pitched whiny.
“What are you talking about?” I walked over, gulping my bite of banana. “All food has dots. Dots are normal. Just eat it.”
By afternoon, my four year old son has splattered Legos and thrown books on their backs to construct a pain-inducing, slippery land mine. That’s when I plop on the floor and wave the white flag. Snack time.
Instead of eating, I meet resistance.
Every day, TJ and I have the same conversation. Marks, black-stuff, something-yucky, I-don’t-want-to-eat-that. TJ whips out his invisible super-microscope to whatever I put in front of him and can always find something wrong with it.
My explanations for food blemishes ring hollow to my little spiky-haired boy. Until one day, God has mercy on me. I come up with the answer.
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100th FAITH BARISTA POST GIVEAWAY! I’m giving away a one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted Studio JRU Art!
It’s one of my favorite reminders of everyday faith —
~ Everyday Faith Cross~
One of you will get to enjoy it!
To read the rest of the story — head on over to Dayspring’s (in)Courage website, where today’s post is published.
** 100th FAITH BARISTA POST CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY **
Becoming real has been a wonderful journey here at Faith Barista, one post at a time.
Today’s post marks the 100th Faith Barista post published— which means I’m celebrating the special day with you — the ones who keep me company here!
One Faith Barista reader will be randomly chosen to receive Studio JRU’s beautiful reminder: Everyday Faith Handmade Cross. I enjoy Jennifer’s artistic inspiration for faith in my home — I’m excited for this giveaway!
ENTER TO WIN: 1 Winner will be chosen!
BY FRIDAY 3/5/10 – Midnight
1. Go to (In)Courage and enter a comment to the post there. You’re entered!
Click here and go to the (In)Courage site to comment.
EXTRA ENTRIES:
2. Go on Twitter and send the tweet below out to your peeps. Comment here at Faith Barista to let me know you’ve tweeted. You’re entered – again!
Becoming Real http://bit.ly/dmZ1vB Comment & win a StudioJRU Designed Artwork via @TheBonnieGray
(You can share this post on Facebook, if you’re not on Twitter. Just click the “Share” icon below.)
3. Subscribe to Faith Barista by email (click here) or via RSS reader (click here). Comment here at Faith Barista to let me know you’ve subscribed. You’re entered – again!
ONE WINNER:
Thank you to EVERYONE for making this incredible experience of authenticity. You’ve blessed me with the amazing stories shared in the comments — and guess what?
You inspired me to invite all of you to blog with me next Friday! (Click here to join me!)
Now, the winner… Congratulations to Bev McDougal!
Thank you for making Faith Barista an awesome community of faith voices. You’ve made me love being here!
The Everyday Faith Handmade Cross is a part of an exclusive Studio JRU collection. To see the entire collection, visit the (In)Courage Gift Shop.
To find out more about the artist, Jennifer, and read her story, stop by Studio JRU – Guided & Inspired by HIM www.studiojru.com.
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46 Comments
Hi – I’m not on facebook anymore, sorry (God showed me it was becoming an idol) but I’ve commented on (in)courage and here. I’ve commented on (in)courage and here – and also subscribed!
thanks!
Stef
Thanks for subscribing!
I have subscribed.
When you come up with the “blemish” answer this mom wants you to share. Thanks for being real.
No one ever told me it would take so much mental strength to get kids to eat! 🙂
@Jason, @Kevin: Thanks, guys!
I have also subscribed. Thanks for sharing this story with us!
Congratulations on your 100th post!
.-= Maureen (Mo)´s last blog ..Finding Your "X" Factor in Adversity =-.
Thank you, Maureen! 😉
Bonnie, I think the dots are what give us character. They are part of who we are, our experiences…good and bad. And the complete and real us is who God sees as beautiful through the rose-colored glasses of Christ’s blood. I know I don’t have to be (and can’t be) perfect, but that I need to hold fast to Him who is perfection incarnate. Thanks for the post, especially the plastic fruit analogy, which is vivid!! Bless your day!!
It’s as if you wrote this just for me. Thank you.
Shared on Facebook and Twitter and already subscribed to the feed-This is such a much needed reminder that I really needed to hear-I recently had an experience where I was real and ended up getting rejected and yet then on the other hand-another open up with encouragement and love and prayer.
It’s like the “no makeup experience”…..if you really matter to someone, they won’t care if you have no makeup on and your hair looks like Albert Einstein that day because they know the heart, they are looking at the heart and they practice what they believe and not just say what they want to believe.
Sometimes our greatest ministry works, isn’t far off in another country, but simply by the simple act of being a real friend, dots and all.
Great post!
.-= Twinkle Mom @ Sunflower Faith´s last blog ..Restoration Road Book Review =-.
I chuckled imaging Albert Einsteins hair. But, I sobered up remembering those times of rejection. Thank you for sharing your experience and bringing important addition to the post that really completes it.
“Sometimes our greatest ministry works, isn’t far off in another country, but simply by the simple act of being a real friend, dots and all.” Perfectly said.
I signed up for email feed – I’m delighted to find your blog!
Congratulations on your 100th post! I love the inspirational words I find here daily, and I love the beautiful cross! I am a subscriber, and will tweet the contest as well. THANKS!
SO good to “meet” you, Susan! I feel so happy to find a faith friend. Really. It blows my mind. God is good.
Becoming real for me is so difficult…it’s painful. Its embarrassing. Its shameful. But I love the freedom. Suddenly, I’m loving my blemishes, because it allows God’s grace (finally) to work in me
David
Red Letter Believers blog
http://www.redletterbelievers.com
.-= David @ Red Letter Believers´s last blog ..The comeback =-.
David, You know no idea how much I relate to what you’re saying. It’s always a step out in thin air — it seems. But, then, there is the freedom and the grace -as you say!
100!!! Whew-hoooooo! Congrats 🙂 I’m glad I’ve gotten a chance to experience many of them 🙂
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..We’re not in Africa anymore, Toto! =-.
Thanks, Maureen!
I have subscribed and am looking forward to the your stories
I just got suscribed. Thanks for message. I always remember to my children that I’m not perfect but that I love them dearly and I asked for forgiveness when I do mistakes. Blessings, Daisy
Congrats on your 100th post. You are a great blessing so keep up the wonderful work. 🙂
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..Appointed to Carry =-.
Congratulations Bonnie! Keep up the good work! I look forward to 100’s of more great posts. 🙂
.-= Kevin M.´s last blog ..My blog readers rock! =-.
I love (in) courage …I read your post over there first (and commented) and then jumped here to leave a comment. Thanks for the nice give away.
Loved reading this today! Left some thoughts over at (in)courage and definitely tweeted to let others know about this!! 🙂
.-= Katy´s last blog ..Wait a Second… =-.
@Janice, @Daisy: Thanks for subscribing — and being a part of my days here at FB!
it is hard to be real. thanks for the encouragement
love the site….I subscribed for the feed.
thanks so much
I posted over at inCourage. I’m already subscribed to your email and enjoy reading your posts.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Still Busy =-.
Posted at inCourage and just tweeted! Definitely a follower! God Bless~
Kelly
I tweeted! Wonderful post and I LOVE StudioJRU! FABULOUS stuff!
And I’m subscribed! Congrats on your 100th post!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Devotions with Daddy =-.
Love this post. Thanks for the challenge to be real!
I tweeted!!
I am so glad to have found you. A great post! Congrats on your milestone, I celebrated one last week, too. God’s richest blessings!! I tweeted!
[…] ** 100th FAITH BARISTA POST CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY ** By Friday 3/5/10, Midnight — Click here to read my 100th Faith Barista post – Becoming … […]
Bananas are not the only “dotty” things!
Aren’t we lucky that we are not perfect!!
we are all merely pilgrims……….on the road towards!!
None of us has arrive yet.
Thanks for the site.
Blessings. Kathleen
I NEED PRAYER PLEASE!!!
Congratulations on your 100th post, Bonnie! That is so super exciting! And I’m honored to celebrate with you! I tweeted you, too!
.-= Heather Sunseri´s last blog ..Are You Living Out Your Dream? =-.
Hi Bonnie:
Congratulations! Your posts totally bless me. I’ll be stopping in to read the rest of the post but wanted to tell you–it does get better. My son was the pickiest eater I’ve ever seen. Even in a resturant he inspected his food. It there was a speck of pepper, or if it even touched other food he would not eat. It appeared to be a neverending battle & we were losing.
Last year he went away to college. Turns out he loves college food. Huh? He eats salad, fish, & spaghetti. I’m amazed. It feels like a miracle has taken place.
It will come. Hold on.
Going to enter the contest now.
Blessings!
.-= Melinda Lancaster´s last blog ..Terrorist attack in Nashville leaves victim searching for truth =-.
I tweeted:-)
.-= Melinda Lancaster´s last blog ..Terrorist attack in Nashville leaves victim searching for truth =-.
I’m a subscriber!
.-= Pat´s last blog ..~ A Reason, a Season, or A Lifetime ~ =-.
Love the site, love Jennifers work, follow both! Awesome Giveaway!
I have subscribed. Not to get another chance at the prize but to read more of what you have to say!
.-= Carol H.´s last blog ..To forgive is hard! =-.
[…] This week, I celebrated a personal milestone of hitting the 100th Faith Barista post — with an article about Becoming Real: Why We All Have Dots. […]
who won – who won?? You didn’t mean west coast time !! YAWN – this east coast girl is off to bed! =)
Stef
.-= stef´s last blog ..the weirdo relative =-.
Thanks for sharing your story, and being real! It is when we get real that God can bring the healing that we so desperately need. Jackie
I also subscribed.
.-= Jackie´s last blog ..Sunshine =-.