Sunday, October 14, 2012

31 days of love...day 14 (Masks)


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.  
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