Growing up, my brother was my favorite playmate and I loved to play rough. It was so much fun. But as a result, I’d always return home with skinned knees, elbows, and an occasional broken lip.
I’d play the most but cry the most. My mum would console me, hoping I’d stop crying but no. On one such occasion, she tried the “It’s okay” approach of consolation. And I responded “But it’s still paining me nau”. My response was laced with confusion and exasperation. Because how do I stop crying when it’s still hurting me?
This story reminds me of how the male gender is expected to “man-up”, how Christians are expected to get over pain too quickly and in more dire cases, not even feel them at all.
A person might be buckling under the weight of grief and heartbreak but at the same time feel too embarrassed to speak up, perhaps for fear of seeming weak or faithless.
We have this self-imposed cloak of perfection that eschews vulnerability. Today, I want to remind you that it’s okay if “It’s still paining you”. It’s okay to need a shoulder to lean on. Stop trying to hold on and be held.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 NLT
Have a splendid week.
Love,
Laura.