The Real Me

I had no idea who Natalie Grant was for a long time. I ended up getting her CD from my mother in law for Christmas one year and stuck the CD in the storage area of the stereo and forgot about it.

One day, I was looking for something to listen to and came across the unopened CD. We were getting into leading worship at church and I was trying to find some inspiration for some new songs. So I opened the case and popped the CD in. The first song was Awaken and it was okay, I went through, listening for the song I was looking for. I listened some more and they were decent songs, catchy enough, but one song struck me. The words were powerful. The Real Me. It hit me that this is me. I have always hid behind my skin and didn't let the world in because too many times I had gotten hurt. This song reminded me that God always knows the real me, even if the real me isn't out there for everyone to see. As you know, I am introverted. If I see you out at a restaurant or something, I will probably not come up to you and talk to you, even if I know you very well and we are good friends. I always wait for you to come to me. I am not being a snob, just being me. A lot of people dont' give me a chance because I have a wall built up around me. So they automatically assume I am the biggest snob on earth and never try to break down the wall and get to know me. The one thing you do want to know about me is this, while I may be shy and introverted, I am not ever going to sugar coat things. If you ask me a question, I will answer honestly, even if that hurts your feelings. I was taught as a kid that you stand up for your beliefs and you always tell the truth, no matter what the consequences are. If someone asks you for your opinion, you tell them the truth. I am not always right, but I will give my opinion on the matter and move on. Even if I know the opinion differs from yours. Some have learned that the hard way, and I have lost friends that way, but to me, the truth is it.

The words to this song tell a story and it paints a picture of how a lot of us, (probably more than a lot, probably everyone at some point in time in our lives) hide behind a mask. We don't go out in the world and act like our true selves.

The Real Me

Foolish heart looks like we're here again
Same old game of plastic smile, don't let anybody in
Hiding my heartache, will this glass house break?
How much will they take before I'm empty?
Do I let it show, does anybody know?

But you see, the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me, completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask my frailty
Cause you see the real me

Painted on, life is behind a mask
Self inflicted circus clown
Tired of this song and dance
Living a charade, always on parade
What a mess I've made of my existence
But you love me even now, still I see you somehow

That you see, the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp
There's no need to mask, my frailty
Oh cause you see, the real me

Wonderful, beautiful
Is what you see when you look at me
You're turning the tattered fabric of my life into a perfect tapestry

Oh I just wanna be me.
I wanna be me.

Cause you see, the real me
Hiding in my skin, broken from within
Unveil me completely
I'm loosening my grasp,
There's no need to mask my frailty,
Oh cause you see the real me.
And you love me,
Just as I am

Wonderful beautiful
Is what you see,
When you look at me.

So when you run into me somewhere, say hello, if you want to. I will always say hello back to you. :)