I pass by this house when I walk in the neighborhood, Frankly I find it lacks eye appeal and always wonder what were they thinking? Someone told me this plain stone - rather ugly wall hides a secret. A secret English garden which no one but the owners and those invited in can see. A well kept secret --a beautiful garden kept behind a huge stone wall which hides the beauty from all who pass by. One has to wonder why the need for secrecy? Why hide all the beauty behind the drab shroud of a colorless wall?
If others know the deep dark truth we hide from public view--we fear they will no longer respect us---avoid our company---retreat from the relationship. Shame clouds our vision and reason flees the premises. We think there could be nothing worse than the exposure of who we are--what we have done---our short comings or what we have endured.
Here is the truth---we are at greater risk for loss of integrity--relationship--love of others by keeping our secrets than admitting them and acknowledging our human failings or those who have wounded us. There is not one among us who has not made mistakes--not wished for a do-over--for none of us are perfect. Others will be more likely quick to forgive and forget if we confess--tell the truth than if they find out we are living behind a thin veil of secrecy. As the emperor had no clothes and all could see his nudity---so our veil will become transparent when placed in the light of the truth.
So release the burden of your secrets--live the truth---and be the better person for it. We punish ourselves far more when we cling to avoiding truth by pulling the sheet of shame over our head. Those who hear our confession would never inflict the guilt and shame we place upon ourselves. We do not realize this sheet we hide behind is transparent when the light shines on it, and our secrets are never really secret from Him who knows and sees all.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Ephesians 4:25
One way of being more at ease with our secrets is to learn to forgive ourselves more. Sometimes, we keep something secret because we regret what we have done and do not forgive ourselves of our own actions.
ReplyDeleteGood post Lulu. God bless you.
Yes, Victor, the first step to living an open book is forgiving ourselves. We are the hard sale -everyone else will be much quicker to forgive and forget .
DeleteBlessings, My Friend!
No sense in hiding our secrets, as the good Lord already knows. I agree with Victor as well...and as for that wall--ugly...makes one wonder what their hiding, right? smiles
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful day friend.
How I would love to see that garden! Have a great week, My Friend!
DeleteBlessings!
"If you look the right way, you can see the whole world is a garden."...one of my favorite lines from the book, The Secret Garden" by Francis H. Burnett I taught a unit on the book to my 4th graders. Lots of great lessons on truth, secrets, people, friendship, etc. Thanks for bringing that back to my mind this morning. Good memories
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite books too!
DeleteBlessings!
Hi Lulu! I always think that people who have perfect lives are very boring. Give me a person with conflicts and problems and knows themselves honestly...that's the kind of person I can relate to. Like the wall in your neighborhood, we hide the best part of ourselves thinking that no one would understand.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to see that garden Lulu. I bet it's a stunner!
Ceil
I like how you think, Ceil! I would live to see that garden!
DeleteBlessings !