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October 8, 2014 by Karin 2 Comments

The Monsters We Can’t See

Walking the Path

Her brown eyes met mine with the look only a child can muster. She searched my face and whispered,

It’s like a monster. And it’s hungry. 

We walk the same floors day in and day out and we think we know everything there is to know about them. But, even these little ones have thoughts hidden from us. Thoughts they think are wrong, or strange, or different. Thoughts they become too ashamed to mutter – even to mom. 

Their young faces are like open books. But you know what they say – never judge a book by its cover.

The look on her face uncertain. A hint of worry.

I took her face into my  hands,

Tell me what it’s like. Tell me what is in your mind.

I couldn’t take my eyes off this face I have watched grow breathtakingly beautiful with time. I noticed things here and there. I saw, but I really didn’t know the ways a mind can become enslaved. Sometimes the worst demons are the ones we don’t see.

The flood gates opened as she poured the details of every obsessive worry, every compulsive act. My mind went to the light jokes we toss around about our OCD ways, but the joke of it is lost in the reality. It’s no joke.

She described in detail every little thing I had noticed along the way, and too many things I had never seen. 

I squeezed her to my chest and stroked her hair,

I’m going to take you to see a lady doctor this week. You know, when you have allergies, you go to an allergist. When you need help, you ask for help.

You are not OCD. You have it, and you will tell it to go away. And we will ask for help.

The relief on her face broke through the clouds beginning to shadow her trusting child eyes. In a moment, she seemed older,

Oh thank you, Mom. Thank you for noticing. I thought I would have this forever. And it’s exhausting.

Suddenly aware of the monsters trying to grip her life. And sometimes we just need one soul to tell us it’s ok to ask for help. Someone to whisper,

Shame is the monster. Silence is the monster. Secrecy is the monster.

Sometimes we have to pry our eyes open, and then pry open the eyes looking into ours. Eyes pried open is the only way to see the sun rising at dawn. And sometimes is really is darkest just before the dawn. The encroaching light whispering,

Wake up.

morning

The sun peers through, warming these souls chilled by uncertainty.

There is nothing new under the sun – and nothing to hide from the Light.

It’s in the light of truth where we can finally see the monster for what it is… a lie.

You want to know the secret about secrets? It’s this. The secrecy is what will eat you alive. The secret itself has no power over you. Once you whisper the truth –

you are free.

 

Ephesians 5:8-10

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.

Karin Madden

 

Filed Under: Faith, Motherhood, Trust, Walking The Path Tagged With: secrets, shame is the lie

February 8, 2013 by Karin 2 Comments

The Secret About Secrets

Secrets.

I’ve had secrets.

Have you ever had a secret?

The surest way to lose your mind is to keep a secret.

I’ve never told anyone else this…

Her eyes trembling tears.

I am so ashamed.

What I can see now… the worst thing about a secret, is not the secret itself.
The worst thing about a secret is… secrecy.

This burden of taking it on… all alone.

Secrets

Now I’m not talking about sharing your every woe with every soul that passes through.
I’m not talking about divulging a confidence that is meant to relieve burden from another.
I’m not talking about airing every piece of dirty laundry to anyone close enough to get a whiff.

I am talking about the kind of secret that sneaks into the soul and boroughs itself into the dark recesses of the heart.

The kind of secret that whispers…

No one will understand.

No one else has done this.

No one will love you… if you tell.

The kind of secret that snarls…

You should be ashamed.

This secrecy is the snarling wolf that circles the unsuspecting sheep.

It circles its distracted prey… growling lies.

You have nowhere to go.

You won’t get away from this one.

You are alone.

The secret devours… and it lies.

Our enemy lies.  He circles and circles, crouching low.  Hissing lies.

Until we stop.

Have you ever been in this corner?  Have you ever found yourself in this corner, shivering and trembling… and wondering,

How did I get here?

I’ve had these kind of secrets.  The stress of them pains the stomach and numbs the heart.

We whisper to ourselves…

I can work this out.

I can put it out of my mind.

I can get past this.

And.  We.  Can’t.

Not alone.

Can I just tell you that you are not alone?  The snarling wolf has no power over you.  The secret is not as horrible as the secrecy.

There is nothing that shocks God.

There are no surprises to Divine ears.

There is nothing… nothing that can separate us from Him… unless we let it.

Tell Him your secret.

Here’s the other thing.

Tell someone else.

We are here together for a reason.  We are not made to be islands.  We all have secrets.  We so often have the same secrets.  We just don’t know it.

Until we tell.

When we tell… the secrecy vanishes.  Just.  Like.  That.

The problems may not be gone.  The pain may not be over.  The journey may just be beginning.

The secret is gone.  It’s not a secret anymore.

Tell someone.  Take the power away from the secret.  Give it back to God.

The truth will set you free.

 

2 Corinthians 4:2

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.  On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend  ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Karin signature

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Family, Forgiveness, Friendship, Grace, Together Tagged With: lies of the enemy, not an island, secrets

Meet Karin

Hi! My name is Karin Madden. Writer. Warrior wife. Mom of six pack. Homeschooler. German-blooded southerner. Welcome to the place where I explore what it means to grow stronger - spirit, soul, and body. I write to inspire and encourage - to remind you we are not alone. By being bold with grace and speaking truth in love, we can become who we are meant to be. I'm glad you are here.

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