The Girlfriend’s Box of Questions
The pink and brown striped box held promise. Actually, it held questions and we* used the conversation starters as writing prompts. I pulled one from the middle and quickly discarded it. Encouraged to take one from the top, I drew, “Who was the last person who gave you butterflies?” Gag.
Double gag.
I was about the throw in the towel with the questions when I ventured one more luck of the draw. That’s it, that’s the one for me.
Have you ever been to a nude beach? If not would you ever consider going?
Wait, let me get this out there first, no, I have never, ever been to a nude beach. However, I repeatedly contend that writing is like standing in front of everyone naked, only it’s not your body, it’s your soul.
You know I’m a gynecologist, right?
I’ve seen a lot of naked bodies. A lot. Bodies are different, they are sometimes wonderfully and sometimes fearfully made. But souls? Oh there is no comparison to the depth of beauty and wonder and fear and ugliness and power and redemption. Why are we so afraid to reveal our true selves? Vulnerability is a huge risk. What if my words are too skinny or too fat or too wrinkled or disproportionate? What if you can’t stand to look at them, like those American senior citizens prancing around on European beaches. Not that I’ve ever been, really, I heard about it from a friend.
Psalm 19:14, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” HCSB
DON’T LOOK ETHEL
My words sometimes make my kids cringe; they think I show a little too much and need to be more modest with my soul skin. My parents hurt over my writing when I expose raw wounds. Probably, I need a bandage to cover the unsightly injuries. My readers? I only hope you laugh and cry along with me.
Proverbs 16:24, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” KJV
Here’s the deal, I’m not going to a nude beach, but, I will continue to bare my soul because I’ve seen a lot of naked bodies inside and out. I’ve heard you reveal your heart and soul and I want you to know you aren’t the only one. If I uncover my broken places, maybe you can find hope in the One who covers our sin and clothes us with His righteousness. My own life of filthy rags has been stripped away, leaving me bare. Can you stand to look or will you avert your eyes because it makes you uncomfortable?
Isaiah 61:11, “He dressed me up in a suit of salvation, he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness.” MSG
GET REAL
The Celebrate Recovery step study I’m involved in has ruined me. As we walk through the door, we take off our masks and ultimately discover that what draws us to each other isn’t our flawless lives. No, we are drawn to each other’s honesty and raw emotions. Real connection happens when we take it off for others to see; no filter, no photo-shopping, no airbrushing.
Just the bare naked truth
The truth is, we all struggle. How about we lock arms and struggle together? Care to join me? If I haven’t scared you off, enter your email in that little box that pops up when you open the link and I’ll bug you every Saturday morning with a post in your inbox. Or if it’s too much, stare straight ahead and keep on walking.
What draws us to each other isn't our flawless lives #BeReal #vulnerability Click To Tweet*By the way, if you want to know who “we” is, check out my writing friends, Jill and Amy. They get my soul.
I’m not a fan of “nudity” in almost any category, but you make it look safe, and even inviting here. 🙂 Thanks for that.
Oh it’s definitely not safe, but still encouraged 😉
Keep writing naked of man”s cover-up’s but totally clothed in the Lord’s radiance.
Beautiful words. Thanks
As a fellow writer, this is so right on! Every time before I push “publish,” I feel my soul is naked and worry of being judged as that retiree on the nude European.
Thank you for baring your soul, Vicki!
You get it!
What a burden it has been to wear all these layers for years! It’s like dressing for snow skiing in the heat of summer. Thanks for your encouragement to be naked. 🙂
Yes! Taking off the layers is so freeing
I appreciate your realness! Through it you have been one of my companions as I “fight the good fight” in my soul to not lose myself in the battle of affection. I feel your arm linked in mine through your words.
Still no diagnosis but a doubling of my Vit D which had already been doubled and increase in Magnesium. My coloring is better, better then 5 months ago, but not with underlying symptoms of weakness and chronic fatigue. Watching a low normal range Parathyroid. Marrianne
Glad you are improving some, hope it continues and you get answers. Thanks for locking arms. We are stronger together
As one who sometimes makes others embarrassed for me because I share too much, I love your post. I know we give others permission to be real when we are. Humor always helps the process, too.
And, no. I’ve never been to a naked beach and will never go to one on purpose. (My boss and her family stumbled onto one when they were exploring a new place on the Florida panhandle. She said they turned around real fast!)
What?!? In Florida. Glad you get my humor. Sometimes I worry…
Naked whether physically or emotionally is pretty scary stuff!! Taking chances that make deep connections is the reward for doing it afraid. Thanks for good post!
The risk is worth it!
Now THAT is about the only fun perspective I’ve ever read about nude beaches ;P
My group didn’t think I would really write about it!
haha 😀
I totally get it..I tend to share WAY more than I should but that is what makes relationships so beautiful. The rawness of bearing all is what makes you real. I love it!
Brace yourself