Jeremiah 31:3...I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.
Masks...I'm guilty of wearing them. I'm not talking about a pretty masquerade mask. I'm talking about a mask that I hide behind. I am the girl who will paint on a smile to protect my heart. As a child, I didn't want anyone to know my situation, so I would pretend to always be happy. I was shy, but I smiled a lot. As a teenager, I was the life of the party. I wanted to be fun. I thought people would like me if I hid the real me. The me who ached for love, the me who came from a home where I had to take care not to hurt anyone's feelings or tell truths so no one would feel bad.
As an adult, I still hide behind masks. It is different now. I am secure in who I am (mostly). However, I will still put my pretty mask on. I fear heartache and rejection. Often, I will hide my heart so it won't get broken. I hide my hurts and my fears from the world. To be candid, I fear being seen as weak or needy. Thankfully, my heart is surrounded by family and friends who know how to truly love. Honestly though, there are times I put my mask on even for them. My heart is fragile.
As I read Jeremiah 31:3, it reminded me that God sees through my mask and loves me anyway. He knows every part of me. There is not a thought or action that I can hide from Him. His love is everlasting. I don't know how that speaks to you, but it thrills my heart. I know rejection and it is extremely painful. I will never have to feel that from my Father. If, like me, you are a mask wearer, know that you don't have to wear it with Jesus. He knows us and loves us always.
