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The Real Deal

I do a bit of online shopping. For many of the same reasons most of you probably do. It's convenient, I can't always find my favorite brand of things in a new state and often times things are just cheaper online. 

The perfume I wear is expensive no matter where I look. So, I looked online. I read some reviews on one site and all of them basically said the same thing. " doesn't smell like the real deal" " better off going to a department store and splurging." Sadly, you can't trust all reviews. But these were the majority. So I moved on to a more popular website that promised authentic brands for less. The reviews confirmed so I went for it. It arrived within a few days. Another reason I love online shopping #youvegotmail. 

I know my perfume smell so when it came in the mail I was surprised and extremely disappointed that it smelled nothing like the real deal. It smelled more like rubbing alcohol. Of course, I went with the big bottle to get more bang for my buck. Now I was going to be using this until my grandkids go to college. That will be a long time since they haven't been born yet. (No pressure kids). 

I tried it for a few days and then called the company and they were incredible. They sent me a return post paid label via email, sent me a new bottle guaranteeing it to be authentic and explained that occasionally they get a defective bottle. They assured me this was the case. To their credit they were right. I received my new bottle in the mail and it smelled exactly like the real deal. 

 There is so much counterfeit stuff out there. Whether that is perfume, US currency or even people. I don't ever want to be one of those that isn't authentic. I have been told I am a  "what you see is what you get" kind of person. Now that can be good but it can also be not so good. Because I'm not all good. I have strengths and I have weaknesses. We all do. So if I'm to be authentic, people need to know both of those things about me. That is the authentic me, that is the real deal.

My weaknesses don't define me though. They make me real. It's through my weakness that God makes me strong. The truth is I am nothing without Him. But with Him I am strong because it's not me. It's all Him. So when I am angry at the lady who cut me off in the parking lot and I have a mini melt down, I can allow it to consume me and my day or I can ask God to give me grace toward her. He will always do that latter. He wants to take control in order to help me live an authentic Christian life. I am not always quick to ask Him to step in but that is my hearts desire. To have more moments when I am weak, I allow Him to step in and give me grace and love toward others. That is the surrendered, authentic life I want to live.  

-Pressing On 


“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.””
Mark 14:38 NIV

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
“For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Colossians 3:3 NLT

“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.”
1 Timothy 1:5 NLT

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