Was Ashamed: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

                                   Was Ashamed

                                    And after

                                    then saw clearly

                                    the failures

                                    and the fears

                                    that kept chains

                                    tangled each day

                                    and tightening lies

                                    truth buried under pride

                                    thinking sin acceptable

                                    and ignored

                                    then repentance

                                    tore open false life

                                    and revealed forgiveness.

Romans 8:19, For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”

Reflection: And After: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1. How often do we bury our faults and errors because we are too proud or ashamed to acknowledge them? Even the minor ones?

2. From whom are we hiding them? Ourselves or others or both?

3. What is the difference?

4. What kind of penalties do we expect in our relationships?

5. In what ways does our hidden shames constrict our openness to others?

And After: Grace in the Wilderness: Prayers and Poetry

-->

Jeremiah 31:19, “For after I turned back, I repented; And after I was instructed, I smote on my thigh; I was ashamed, and also humiliated, Because I bore the reproach of my youth.”

And after.

How often do we allow our lack of trust in ourselves to interfere with our trust in others or in the Lord? Our own reproach often stains not only our past but our present and our future as well. Like a bird of prey watching intently for the moment of attack.

So we work to keep all our errors hiding in the dark, from the least to the unforgiveable, hoping they will all go away or dissolve or be forgotten. And the shame becomes stronger and deeper.

Yet, in the Lord’s hands, in His light, the failures and reproach can be turned into life. Although we know not to trust ourselves, we can trust His promises. Instead of keeping our humiliation as barriers to reconciliation and restoration with others, with ourselves, and with the Lord, can become our new reality. Shame no longer has control.

Lord, please open our hearts to identify and acknowledge our excuses that we may face our fears and repent our failures with honesty.

Your thoughts,