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Today is my and my husband's anniversary. (We were married by Louise Westphall 26 yrs ago.) I must confess that I put together a shiny, happy video to put on FB which belies the hard stuff John and I have gone through together and the rocky times we've had. I confess that I did so only because I know that it ticks some people off that we are still in love and together after all these years, not because I want to avoid showing our flaws. Ha, ha. I thought of you and this musing when I posted it, Mary!

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P.S. I guess being petty is a flaw I need to work on!

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This is so profound. Yes, we are all flawed and imperfect, but darn it, we don't want to present that to the world... especially on social media! I am guilty of that as well. I find that 3D people are much more interesting anyway, but can't help myself. Have you heard the song "Shiny, Happy People" by REM? It always reminds me of flat, cardboard people that don't really exist! Thanks for this, Mary. Highlight for today checked off.

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Yes to all of this! Thanks, Candie!

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You know Mary I do believe the knowing you know less is a great gift - some people realise this earlier than others - and it is a huge relief. From ancient Chinese culture it is agreed that the cracks in vases (or any imperfection human too) are beautiful/precious as this is where the light can come in

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Does something in us have to die before we are willing to set out the flawed and imperfect fragments of our lives?

Is something in us freed to be authentic, loved by the God who sees?

God recycles the broken and crafts beauty for his redemptive uses.

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Right? The story of faith: a repeating cycle of death and resurrection into the new.

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Lovely article. You have such an eye for ordinary life! My favorite sentence was "I’m showing you that my family and I struggle, so it’s ok for yours to be flawed". Bless you!

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Thank you!

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Becoming a pastor cured my road rage for the same reason lol. My church knows that if I’m cranky with them it’s usually because I’m tired or hungry. I try to just be myself because I see the drain on clergy and others who create a persona that needs to be protected.

Also I totally would have bought the party set and hosted a retro style lunch with punch! How fun.

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That’s a fun idea! I did buy some cocktail napkins which are embroidered with a tiny martini in the corner. They amused me because they’re so random. Come on over for a beverage!

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