to be truly known.

i was reading people magazine tonight, the article on heath ledger, and this quote really stuck out to me:

"heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life but few had the pleasure of truly knowing him." --kim, his father.

i think we all have a desire to be truly known by someone, to be known inside and out and to have the opportunity to share our hearts. this is such a good thing and something that i do truly want, yet it is so hard, so scary to open ourselves up and expose our inner being. but i am finding that every time i do, every time that i put myself out there, i am so glad i did. i appreciate knowing that there is someone there who knows my thoughts, who knows me almost better than i know myself, and isn't afraid to call me out on something. i like growing in relationships and realizing that the reason for it is because we are knowing each other better, and doing this intentionally, knowing full well that it may be painful and it may hurt, but it will always contain a freedom.

i don't want to live my life closed off, afraid of what others will think or simply living in fear at the thought of letting others in. i want to desire to live in a true community, encouraging one another, bearing each others burdens, and sharing in the joy that we all experience. life is too short to be on this earth and keep yourself to yourself. we are made as image-bearers, so there will always be a part of us that is worth knowing. that other part is being shaped and conformed even as we open it up. if knowing someone truly and fully is really a pleasure, then i want to be known, not hold back.