Hello family and friends! I am officially writing my first blog entry…how exciting! My friend Erik (thanks Erik!) set this blog up for me a couple of weeks ago, and I had all the intentions in the world of immediately blogging. Alas, life got in the way. This does not bode well for my future blogging endeavors. However, I will commit to attempting one entry a week (Is attempting really a commitment??) in hopes of letting you know what is going on with my life and in my mind since we are either a) far away or b) very busy or c) both. This is not meant to be a replacement to actual conversation with you, but a supplemental form of communication. Hopefully it will bring us closer together and bridge the distance that the crazy, busyness of life brings.
With that said, why is my blog called “Not all Together”? Well, because I am not. At all. But I AM very good at pretending I have it all together, and that is a very difficult appearance to keep up. It’s odd. Under no circumstances does my heart want to struggle to give the appearance of having it all together…but my head always tells me I have to have it all together for people to like me, respect me, envy me, etc. How does that play out in my life? Well, I expect perfection in every aspect of me: how I look, what I say, how I treat my patients, how I bake (my LIFE group members are smiling), how I sing, how I clean my house, how I do my laundry. Perfection. I expect completely unattainable perfection and hate myself when I don’t attain it. It is ridiculous any way you look at it. And TOTALLY not worth it. I read a great article recently about how no one who has it all together ever makes a difference in people’s lives. People don’t want perfection, they want honest truth. Who would ever feel comfortable enough with me to share their struggles when I convey an image that by its nature keeps others at arm’s length? Thankfully, God is showing me this truth more and more. He is in the business of showing me my garbage and redeeming it for His glory.
Sandra McCracken has a new CD called the Builder and the Architect. She wrote a song called “Grace Upon Grace” (which I originally wanted to name my blog, but it was taken already…curses!) It makes my soul breathe a sigh of relief EVERY time I hear these words:
Grace upon grace, every sin repaired, every void restored –You will find Him there.
Take heart, fellow strugglers. God is restoring the world, every dark corner of it. Including me, including you.
Looks like you are off to a great start. I hope we all get to know you better through this. I certainly can identify.
A beautiful first blog from an equally beautiful friend. Just so you know, the imperfections make your beauty REAL…not just an image.
It’ll be hard for me not to pressure you to write more than weekly, if this is any indication of what your blogging will be. Awesome, and true.
Dear Kelly,
I love you exactly the way you are. Thanks for blessing me and others who will read this. I enjoy hearing your heart.
You fellow “not all together” friend,
Amanda
Congrats!!! Welcome to the blogging world. Your comments on not being able to help people if you appear to have it all together remind me of what one of my friends told me once – that without vulnerability and honesty people won’t grow closer to God because of me, they’ll only be intimidated by my false front. Thanks for sharing – I look forward to more good stuff!!!
Great first post. I’m looking forward to reading more!
Kelly,
Congratulations. It looks great, I am excited to hear updates online. I love the title and your explanation…it is so good to be reminded of those truths. Part of me wishes that I wasn’t reminded not to be perfect (I myself am a slave to the image of perfection), but I am encouraged by your words and want to be not all together with you.
i love you.
Great Kelly! I’m looking forward to seeing all that you have to say.
kelly,
i have a secret…….
i don’t have it all together either………
i know you are shocked…. it is ok….
huh, maybe we should live together.
I am so excited you have joined the blog world and now there will be something legitimate coming from the Johnson household.
Dearest Kelly,
I love your blog!!! I love the truthfulness of it….And I am grateful for the spiritual growth I have seen in you. I think it is more evident to me because I don’t see you as often because we don’t live in the same town. We all struggle with something. If we were perfect, Jesus wouldn’t have had to climb up on the cross.
I’m looking forward to more…..You are loved. MLK
Kelly….You can count on me to look at All the pictures!!
I Love You, DAD…
kelly,
i was reading a comment you left on someone else’s blog and was so pumped when i noticed your name was also a link to your new blog. look forward to reading your thoughts.