FLAT ON HER BACK AND SMILING
How often do we respond, “I’m fine,” when inside we are dying? We think a smile can mask the reality of our pain. The little girl who fell off the porch and landed flat on her back knew better. Fortunately it was a low porch.
Over the years we forgot the reason for her fall, but hopefully it wasn’t because my dad startled her with the makeshift ghost he resurrected from a pile of leaves with a pulley. Growing up, Halloween was fun. I have great memories of costume contests at Bud’s Roller Rink and collecting penny candy door-to-door in Lynnwood Acres.
My all-time favorite costume was the old bed sheet my dad painstakingly shredded and wrapped around me head-to-toe. Strategically applied fake blood completed the not-really-gruesome mummy look. Of course, that was before Halloween traditions were controversial. Back then our conservative youth group even hosted a haunted house fundraiser for their summer trip; not the scare-the-Hell-out-of-you, evangelical haunted house, nope, just a fake chainsaw-toting Frankenstein haunted house. Those were the days; times were different and that is not what this is about.
Whatever the cause, she lay on the ground and bellowed from beneath her frozen grin. Her over-sized, polka dotted collar mocked her tantrum. The permanently happy expression on the little clown’s face beguiled her distress.
HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY
As she retells the incident, my mom initially feigns seriousness which quickly fades to a chuckle then melts into full blown laughter. My mother is not cold-hearted. The child was only rattled and appeared to be grinning for crying out loud. Laughter is an appropriate response to a silly grin. I wonder if that is ever true for me. Does the incongruity of my “mask” evoke the wrong response from others?
Ecclesiates 3:4, “A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” NASB
HOW ARE YOU?
How often do we respond, “I’m fine,” when inside we are dying? Anyone besides me guilty of hiding behind a smile to be strong for others. Showing weakness is quite simply a sign of weakness and I despise weakness. So I wear my happy face then people won’t recognize my struggles.
Lamentations 3:17, “My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is.” HCSB
S.O.S
I am fiercely independent and consider myself strong, if not physically then emotionally. Frankly, I act like I don’t need you and I don’t need God. I can do this alone and I’ll let you know if I can’t. Deep down, it is not what I believe, but it is how I act. Nevertheless, I have been convicted:
Self-sufficiency is an ugly form of pride.
Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.” HCSB
INJURED PRIDE
Whenever I fall, I jump up, dust off my knees and insist I am fine hoping you won’t notice the bloody scrapes on my knees. The truth is, I do need you and we need each other. My pride needs wounding.
Have you ever worn a smile to hide your tears, struggles and disappointments? Have you ever felt like kicking the wall but instead plastered a fake grin across your face?
Galatians 6:2, “Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.” MSG
LOPSIDED
There is a delicate balance between cocky independence and depleting neediness. Continually dumping negativity actually drives away the very people you need. I have probably never been accused of that. Not that I have figured out the balance, I am lop-sided, but I am working on it. Are you knocked flat on your back having a fit, but hiding behind a mask?
If you refuse allow others see your needs, you will not only miss a blessing, but you will also deprive someone else of a blessing. How about we take off the masks and let others help?
James 4:2, “You do not have because you do not ask God.” NIV
You the nail on the head (my head). I absolutely have not found that balance either. I can quote the scripture, but don’t seem to be able to practice what it teaches. Thank you for sharing.
Talking is always easier than walking for me
You HIT the nail on the head.
Thank you for telling it like it is. Sometimes our sufferings are exactly what someone else needs to hear in order to help them thru their own!
Yes! 2 Cor 1 We can minister to others because we have suffered
Sooo true! How are we supposed to find that balance? It’s so easy to hide in plain sight. I’ve learned to do it so well. I find it almost impossible to ask for help even though I’m close to falling down with music gear in hand. ……….☮ph
Just don’t wear a polka dotted collar…
Great post! Once again, you nailed it.
“If you refuse allow others see your needs, you will not only miss a blessing, but you will also deprive someone else of a blessing.”
This line hit home. I can be guilty of keeping my needs secret, not wanting to be a burden to others. Yet, I enjoy helping others who are in need of support. So why would l deprive others, of this opportunity that I greatly enjoy? What a fantastic reframe and an excellent reminder that it’s perfectly acceptable to share our honest emotions with others.
I agree, you nailed it 🙂
My perspective is certainly changing. Thanks
I love your writing style! This was so good! I am so guilty of “faking being well.”
I am still working on it. Thank you so much
Yep, I’m so guilty of hiding behind “I’m great, thank you.”
It”s not that I want to impress people with, I got this.
I just think they have their own problems and don’t need mine added to them.
I agree, it depends on who is asking
Absolutely!