A Sheltering Tree
Photo Credit
I’ll never forget the moment it happened. After weeks of meeting with the same group of women for Bible study, one brave sister finally decided to be real. She peeled back the mask and let us see her pain. She told her story.
I am sure she was frightened. Would we look at her with pity? Would we judge her?
From the other side of the room, another courageous voice broke into the silence. “That happened to me. too.”
She was not alone.
Her story melted the facade of perfection that had clouded our view. None of us was alone. Each of us was beautifully broken.
That night we walked out into the night air with a lighter step. Telling our stories had opened the door to healing and helped set us free from the bondage of private pain.
We would walk forward together as one.
Coleridge once said that friendship is a sheltering tree. That day, a sisterhood stood strong to support one woman and covered her with tender care.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15, MSG
Q4U: Have you found freedom and shelter from telling your story in community? I’d love to hear your story.
Lyli,
Oh- this is such a beautiful description of what happens when we take off those masks and submit to community. I love this line: “Telling our stories had opened the door to healing and helped set us free from the bondage of private pain.” Perfect! Thank you so much for sharing your gift and encouragement here!
Karen, thank you for your kind words. There is freedom found in telling our stories!
Beautiful! And the photo is gorgeous!
I want to hang out there, don’t you?
There are many things I’ve said out loud to others I thought would surely make them despise me, but didn’t. There are also many things I haven’t said out loud for the same reason. Then there are the things I can’t say out loud because they make me want to die from shame. I’m not saying these things in a group. If I can say them to God who knows everything about me anyway, then I’ll be making progress. It doesn’t matter how truly kind or loving or compassionate you might be, I’ve been burned too many times. Even saying this feels uncomfortable. That’s my story for now. It’s enough for this minute.
I hear you, Michelle. I am reminded that Jesus had 12 disciples, but he was closer to 3 of them. I think some things are to be reserved for those intimate friends — the people who refuse to leave us alone, even when life gets ugly.
Yes, several years ago I took the chance of revealing my story about some *wandering* years to a group of women in a Bible Study. I was so afraid of being judged. However, they extended such love and grace to me. Their acceptance became part of the way that God continued to heal me.
I’ve never been good at wearing masks, and I think it’s important to tell our stories to other people. It takes courage, yes, but these stories are such powerful testaments to the faithfulness of our Lord. And that’s what it’s all truly about – our story, His glory.
GOD BLESS!
Love that — our story, His glory. That’s it exactly!