To Know and Be Known

Writers must write. For weeks I've been trying to build my professional blog, the one I will use to help clients understand what kind of work I can do. But I keep bumping into the fact that I need a forum where I can just write, too. I need a place where I can process the ideas in my head that aren't necessarily the things you want to share with clients who need to feel like the person they are hiring is stable, professional, together, etc.

Thus, the Kaleidoscope Portrait is born. This is where I get to be me, to express myself through my finger tips. I've noticed that whenever I need to tell someone something important, I usually do a better job writing or texting it, rather than speaking. So I expect that this blog will be a nursery for the important thinks that I think and the feels that I feel.

A little bit about the name. I once had a mentor describe me as a kaleidoscope. She said that while I am very transparent, and very colorful,  just when you think you grasp the picture, if you shift the angle ever so slightly, a whole new picture emerges that you didn't see before. I've treasured that word picture for many years now, because it does a good job of describing how I feel about me--transparent, colorful, complex, made of up many pieces, full of new things to discover. There was no small amount of wonder in me that someone else could see it too.

I unintentionally walk through life assuming I'm somewhat invisible. I know I make some impact in the lives of my friends. I realize there are people who love me. But I really don't assume the people pay much attention to me. I highly value transparency, because I truly believe it is the most effective way to connect with and minister to others. Paradoxically, I really don't expect people to really notice me. Life is busy and all-consuming. Everyone has their own issues and cares, what would make mine worth the limited energy and time and resources of another person? That is the mystery of love and friendship.When someone says or does something that demonstrates that they see you--that they really *see* you--it's powerful. It's wonderful, and comforting, and scary, and awesome, all at the same time. 


The Bible teaches that we're created with the desire to know and be known. My hunger to know others is pretty insatiable. I hold myself back from peppering people with questions, for fear they will be freaked out. I want to know the story that makes a person who they are! It makes me laugh that being known is somewhat scary to me, considering how much I desire to know others. I am nothing if not a walking contradiction when it comes to that.

I may get readers who don't actually know me in real life, but for the most part, if you read this, it's probably because you're already in my life in some form. It's my guess that the people who read this blog will come to see aspects of me that they may not have known before. The beauty of a kaleidoscope can really only be seen when light is shining through it. It's my sincere prayer that the Light of God's love will shine through this blog. I hope you get to know things not just about me, but about yourself, and most importantly about God, too, for truly, no matter who else sees or doesn't see us in this life, to Him we are fully known, and He longs for us to fully know Him, too. I hope this kaleidoscope if ideas and thoughts creates a mirror that helps you see yourself life more clearly, and to see yourself as He sees you. Thanks for reading.




Check out this video.... I could watch these for hours.