Let Them See You

In the fake, filtered world of Social Media, marriage is easy, skin is flawless, and children always behave in restaurants. But we know all too well that life is often quite different from the perfection portrayed on Instagram or TikTok. Like most of us, I too am guilty of sharing only the best bits and pieces of my life, attempting to make others (and myself!) believe I’ve got it all together. What’s worse, I often portray my faith with the same fake filter.

But the truth is that faith in Jesus - real living and breathing faith - ebbs and flows. 

It flexes and slacks; trusts and doubts. 

Sometimes faith is full on, all in, swelling up in our hearts and minds. 

Other times it’s hurt and hesitant, stamped out in our hearts, just faintly flickering below a pile of life’s mess.

The truth is there are days when I have to preach the truth to myself because my heart listens to lies.

There are days I doubt God’s goodness even though He’s proved it again and again. 

There are days when I feel alone and abandoned even though I know His presence is real. 

And folks, that’s faith. It waxes and wanes, ebbs and flows, rises and falls. 

Photo: Driftwood Beach at Jekyll Island by Jackson Burns

While we’re here on Earth, we are redeemed but not finished. We’re works in progress! Some days we have to fight for faith, and to portray this Christian journey with a fake filter of perfection ignores the grace of God that establishes and grows our faith.

It’s hard to embrace the mistakes and missteps. It’s hard to own up to my less-than-perfect seasons. I’m often tempted to fake my faith in front of my children. My heart sometimes whispers, Get it together, Hailey. You are a Jesus-following Mom. Your kids don’t need to see you grieving or scared or lonely or doubtful. Put on a smile and push through!

But when I do this, when all they see of me is the “got-it-together” look, they never get to see how real faith works. They never get to see how some days I’m faithless but God is always faithful. They never get to watch me run to God with doubts and questions and then find peace and rest in Him. When I use a fake filter for my faith, I’m robbing my kids of opportunities to see God rescue, reassure, and redeem me. 

Letting my kids (or anyone, for that matter) see me struggle is difficult for me. But I’m learning that it’s pretty important. A few days ago, as I was praying about this, I jotted down a few things in my journal. In case you struggle with this whole fake faith filter thing, I’ll share my scribbles with you…

Let them see you smile! The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Let them see you cry. Let the Lord bind up your broken heart.

Let them see you thrive. The roots of the righteous run deep.

Let them see you despair. Run to God for refuge and rest.

Let them see you pray. We talk to those we treasure. 

Let them see you read. God’s Word is your daily bread. 

Let them see you stretch. Faith isn’t required if you never step out of the boat. 

Let them see you work. Serving is loving.

Let them see you wait. Watch God work on your behalf. 

Let them see you love. This is the true mark of a disciple. 

Whether we like it or not, our kids are watching. Let them see how real faith works.