Everyone Poops

I made the most amazing discover the other day.

Everyone poops.*

Surprise!

Shocking, I know.  Okay, so maybe you're thinking that I've lost my mind ... and maybe that's true, but that's a blog for another time!

Here's the method behind the madness:  there are these things in our lives that we don't like to talk about.  Like poop, with the exception of my little nephews out of earshot of their mother!

These things we try to hide from other people, because clearly they have their lives together.  And I so clearly don't.  I mean, have you even seen those people's Pinterest boards and Facebook statuses?  Here they're excelling at everything they're doing and going on exciting adventures ... and I'm just the girl that usually chooses an extra half hour of sleep over a shower in the morning**!

I think the core of the problem is that we're all living under a false facade.  We can smile and pretend like everything is absolutely fine ... but that doesn't change the fact that you might be dying inside.

This reminds me of Casting Crown's song "Stained Glass Masquerade" (youtube here)

The lyrics go like this:

Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they'll soon discover
That I don't belong

So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them

Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation's open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade

Is there anyone who's been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who's traded
In the altar for a stage

The performance is convincing
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart

But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be

Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay

Sorry about the long list ... I couldn't narrow the song down to just a verse or two!

I guess the point of this blog post is that at the end of the day, we all poop (figuratively and literally ... stick with me here!).

We all make mistakes and have regrets.
We all have insecurities and doubts.
We are all broken.

By denying our "human-ness" we are not only hurting ourselves, but others around us!

This is a call to be genuine ... transparent.  You never know when someone might be struggling or feeling the same way that you do.  And that can make all the difference.  It is important to remember that Jesus Christ is the only one that can bring healing, but he created us with a deep desire for positive relationships.

Keep those bowel movements comin',

Amanda

*Unfortunately, I can not take full credit for this epiphany.  A Japanese author wrote a children's book, and Morgan Freeman allegedly (Youtube commentors are suspicious) narrated it.  Enjoy!

**I would just like to say that I do shower regularly... just not first thing in the morning :)