Scripture for Today: Proverbs 13:7 “One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.”

Playing pretend with my grandson the other day was sweet.  He is not even 3 years old yet, but he understands the concept of pretend play.  We created different scenarios with one of his favorite characters, Curious George.  In the  world we created, everything was fun and perfect.  Everyone got along and could do exactly as they pleased.  Pretending is important for a child’s imaginative play.  Pretending as adults has very little value unless in the context of the arts.

Pretending in the church serves no positive purpose.  We often pretend to be something other than what we are in an attempt to seem spiritual.  If we are poor, we try to hide the fact.  If we are rich, we try to hide that too, although maybe less frequently!  Our verse for today is in contrast to the one before it.  “Righteousness guards the person of integrity…”  Being a person of integrity is being without pretense.

In attempting to look as if my act is together, I am in fact being unrighteous.  The Lord wants me to be authentic.  I struggle sometimes with being an imperfect wife, mother and grandmother.  Pretending to be perfect in every area is exhausting and frustrating.  I am thankful that the Lord sees through the pretense and loves me anyway.  No one around me is fooled either.  We are all flawed.  We all struggle.  Our relationship with Christ does not mean perfection for anyone.  It is in being authentic and sharing our struggles and victories that we encourage each other.

I may be discouraged but I do not need to pretend.  Thank you Lord, that You promise to complete in me what You have started.