Stop Pretending

Dear Child,

You can stop pretending. Dress-up and playing house was fun when you were a preschooler, but now that you are a grown lady you don't have to keeping up the act. Don't be fake, especially with Me. You can't trust everyone, be discerning, listening to the Holy Spirit. Some people are just waiting to get some juicy news to blabber to others. Ask me to help you. I will guide you to people who will be true friends, who will be confidants and wise counselors.

Sunday morning is one of the biggest days of acting, as My children go to gather at the church but want to make sure they adjust to the "I'm fine" church-y masked smile. Oh, how hard it is to be real, to allow yourself to weep tears of loneliness or anger at the altar steps that seldom gets used anymore.

I see my children sitting in the pews all pious. One lost his business this week to bankruptcy. Another is crushing under the coldness of silent treatment from her spouse as her marriage crumbles. I see my child who drank a little too much last night and went a little too far with her date. And there he is again, slipping in after the music hoping to be unseen, he wouldn't want people to know he is still grieving the death of his mother. It has been almost a year. On a few pews up, sits a person struggling with prescription drug abuse and just a few inches away is a church member addicted to shoplifting.

The pain of being in a crowd but not connecting, feeling so hollow, like no one really cares or could ever understand. "If only they knew the truth...." "I can't dare tell a soul..." "I am a terrible person, why did I even come...." "Look how happy they are like they don't have a care in the world...."  For the most part, you are ashamed, and afraid. What would people think if they knew you still sinned?

Well, I will tell you what I think! You are my priceless treasure, my sweet child that I love so very much, and so unconditionally. What I think about you matters more than anybody else.You can't pretend with Me, I know the truth already. You might as well confess your sin and sorrows as soon as possible. I can forgive you, comfort you and provide all you need. You can stop pretending with me. I love the 'real' you!

Lindy Abbott 2009

Comments

[Karen]

As a daughter that has played "pretend", this post really spoke to me...the description of the people sitting on the church pews...the thoughts and fears...all touched my heart...especially the affirmation of His love, despite all the fake faces....

[Lindy Abbott]

thank you for sharing; as a writing with a desire to minister to others, it is always nice to know when something you have written has touched someone where they are or have been in life.