Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
I remember driving by a parade of preschoolers in their Halloween costumes. They were being led around the block by a small band! Some kids were walking on tiptoes; others were stretching arms and legs. They were having so much fun! It was entertaining to watch them pretend to be someone or something they weren’t. Little kids love to fantasize.
Many adults are good at pretending. They wear masks as they walk through their day. I’ve seen smiles hide anxiety and constant pain. I’ve recognized anger coming from deep hurts and addictions. I’ve heard excuses meant to cover fears and uncertainties. I’ve been there as well.
Some adults decide to take off their masks. The realities of life become too difficult to carry and too difficult to hide. For adults it can be a real struggle to reveal personal stories. Being honest can bring consequences. Some consequences are perceived but honesty can also lead to traumatic experiences. What will people think? Will I appear weak or out of control? Who might be affected by what I reveal? How much is too much to tell?
It is not easy to reveal the realities of our lives. It requires us to be honest about where we are in life, what we are doing, what we aren’t doing, what we could be doing, and why we are holding on to things that are taking us places we don’t want to be going. Asking friends for support, to pray with us, and hold us accountable helps us overcome our obstacles in life.
For me, being honest starts with the person who is first in my life. Is it me or is it God? Is God leading me or am I going it alone? Am I feeling God’s comfort and peace or am I responsible for my trouble and sadness? When I do the things I don’t want to do, do I remember that it is God who will save me, forgive me and put me on the right path? Do I hold in my heart the One who created me and do I believe that He is THE ONE that is best to help me get on the path I am to follow? Adjusting my life to more of Him and less of me is what is needed to go where I need to be.
3 comments:
I always find peace and hope in the words you write. The scripture you use to provide that peace and hope speak to me as well. I love how your mind works and how you can look at the world - kids having fun in their costumes - and draw a parallel to us as adults donning our masks and parading around as if everything were OK.
God uses you in a mighty way...keep writing my friend.
Love ya much and miss you too,
Judy
Judy,
I've just now read your blog for the first time and I wish I'd found it sooner! I'm starting to explore my need for God in my life and really appreciate you sharing your own experiences with Him. Your words are inspiring and helped me feel better on a day that i needed it:) Thank you Judy! <3 Mary Kingsboro
We are all on a journey. It brings sunshine to my day when someone shares that God spoke to them through the words He gave me for the day. When we share we lift each other up and over the hurdles we are living through...and I like to think God smiles and winks at us. thank you for your comments.
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