I used to feel invisible, and I was empty inside.
You wouldn’t know it by looking at me though, as I was beautifully bedecked with many embellishments. Coolness was probably the first (and the cheapest) ornament that I picked up, and it stuck to me no matter what I did. Of all of the decorations that I collected through the years, coolness was also probably the most vocal. “Be cool,” it would whisper, “just act like you don’t care.”
Shortly thereafter, I found the spirit (the liquid kind), and I discovered that consuming that spirit brought about all kinds of shiny garlands. My penetrating fears were veiled by courage, and in time I acquired pride as well. Courage came and went freely, but a healthy dose of the spirit usually prompted it to run back home, and sit boldly on its wobbly throne.
Pride, on the other hand, attached itself firmly. If the spirit was low, or courage seemed to be lost, pride would encourage arrogance, or feed on other things to help it grow. It treasured success, money, and even “things.” Eventually… pride started flirting with greed, and it seemed as though we never had enough—of anything. Sometimes I think the two of them were in bed together from the very beginning.
Soon all of these trimmings lost their sheen, and I became convinced that if I found love—the “one”—I would be garnished perfectly. Love was the ultimate frill, the tantalizing tinsel that I really needed. I was sure of it! The search went on… and on… but my efforts proved disastrous.
In a tragic whirlwind, I caught a glimpse of myself one day and realized that I was nowhere to be found. Swallowed up by my decorations—and drowning in the spirit—I was still invisible. That void inside of me was still there, hollower than ever, and not one of those adornments could save me.
That’s when I found you; free for the taking and ready to move in—without question. Unlike that temporal spirit that I used to devour, you filled that void with your spirit, and it was sturdy and concrete… something I’d never known before.
I couldn’t see it, but I felt it.
Since then, my life has never been the same. There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not overflowing with gratitude and joy. Sure, I still get caught up in old habits and start festooning myself with things that seem glitzy and glamorous… that’s human nature.
But, as quickly as they come, these trappings fade away. Each time they do, I’m adorned with nothing but my childlike faith. There is no emptiness though… because you are always still there—my unshakable rock—holding me up, and keeping me strong.
And I am no longer invisible… I am clothed in love.
God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.
Augustine
Inspired by the Word of the Day challenge: Bedeck
Merry Christmas Everyone!! I love you all!
a sprinkle of faith 
Comments
16 responses to “Unshakable”
Wise lessons from a constant journey
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Thank you!
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“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you”…… Augustine. …. a truth for many years, like you, I tried to resist. What folly! Merry Christmas.
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Yes, Merry Christmas indeed! 🙂
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Beautiful post, Janet! Keep going! Merry Christmas!
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Thank you Marcus! Merry Christmas! Love your Christmas photographs… Absolutely beautiful. 🙂
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Thanks, Janet, it means so much! Marcus
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Excellent essay.
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Thank you so much!
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((big happy sigh)) 🥰 God is so awesome, all the time.
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Yes He is! But somehow you were stuck in my spam! 🙂 Happy new year!
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Wonderful description of darkness and of coming out of the dark intro God’s marvelous light.
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Thank you! ❤
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You describe the characters so well. Nothing you said is false, God’s love is King
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Indeed it is. Thank you very much 😁
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WOW….. loved reading that. I felt it
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