Hello, friends! I have another flash fiction for you today. Actually, it has a very similar theme to this poem I wrote a few months ago! I hope you enjoy it.:)
“Stop hiding.”
The girl stares back at me blankly. Arms crossed, lips resting in a sullen droop. Unconvinced. Waiting for me to say more.
I hesitate, then take a breath. “How can you expect to be understood when all you’ll give them is a false front?”
“It’s safer this way.” She swallows and breaks eye contact, studying the linoleum.
“Maybe.” I stare at her and she stares back, chocolate eyes pooling with tears. “But… don’t you want people to know who you truly are?”
“Yeah, but…” she pauses, and a tear falls from her lower eyelid. Her toe traces circles on the floor.
I wait. I know her well enough to know that she’ll talk when she’s ready. And she does.
“My story isn’t worth knowing.”
“That’s not true… every story’s worth knowing.”
“Mine isn’t.” Another tear splashes onto her dusty foot.
“But… what if… other people have stories like yours? And they need to know they’re not alone?” I wrap my arms around myself. “What if you’re the one who needs to let them know that?”
Silence aches on for several moments. I can hear her breathing… deep, searching breaths facing down near-terror. She watches more tears paint damp circles on her toes.
Finally…
“Okay.” She sniffs and blinks, her fist smearing tears on her face. “I won’t keep hiding.”
This is my new favorite book! Not many books keep me reading way too late into the night anymore, but this one did! Every time the excitement began to die down, something new/horrible/exciting happened. I loved it, and can’t wait to finish the trilogy! I can’t recommend it enough.
I’ve had this one on my shelf for so long, and finally determined to finish reading it. It’s absolutely hilarious… thanks for recommending + lending it, Grandma! Don’t worry… I’ll return it soon.:)
Another one recommended by my grandma… so, so good. And devastating. And good.:)
Journal Snippets
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, not of my circumstances. So… onwards!
God, help me to lose myself and take on the identity You give me – joyfully and with grace. Don’t let me waste my time on worthless pursuits.
Am I willing to offer every aspect of my life to God as a living sacrifice? Will I let You completely mangle my dreams for my life so I can live out Yours? Yes, Lord. Only by Your grace. All I want is Your plan.
Help me to live fully. To have a zest for life. To love fully and extravagantly. To realize the brevity of life and throw myself into making each second count. For good.
Oh, man, life was so much simpler when I was eight. (hehehe…)
God is helping me to see my life the way He sees it – brimming with beauty and opportunity. I see each day as an opportunity to serve God fully and freely, to nurture my relationship with Him, to press into Him and see that He is indeed good, and more than enough for me.
“God, I have no idea what I’m doing. I feel like I’m trying to walk in the dark.”
Thankfully I’ve learned to habitually look at life’s uncertainties with excitement and wonder, viewing them as opportunities to see God’s matchless skills as a storyteller break through my confusion someday and amaze me. But the other day, using some quiet time on the road to think about life, I’d finally had it. I’d become so frustrated with the veil of uncertainty that lies over the future. I was tired of the doubts, the unknowns, my weaknesses…
I’d gotten sick of being in the dark, and I told God so.
The words were barely out of my mouth when a portion of Scripture that’s been ingrained in my mind for as long as I can remember came slowly into focus.
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Your word. A light to my path.
The exasperated complaints died on my lips as I considered this, wondering how much of my confusion was my own fault.
I make sure I have God’s word in front of me in some form every single day… whether that’s through reading, studying, or running memorized Scripture through my head – preferably all three. I’ve made that a habit because I know that God’s word is essential for me. But am I seeking it out with passion… truly seeking it out?
If I’m walking in a dark room I don’t know very well, I look for a good light source… unless I’m trying to let myself get creeped out, which isn’t often.:) I don’t just content myself with the moonlight slipping through the blinds, or the shreds of light filtering in from a distant room. I don’t just grope around my surroundings, stumping blindly around and hoping I don’t tear off a toe on a piece of furniture.
I seek out the light.
If that’s the case, then why do I grope my way through the shadows of life, bumping against obstacles in my path, crying inside with frustration when I hurt myself and can’t seem to find the right path?
I’ve got to seek out the light.
I’ve got to immerse myself in the truth of Scripture. Tuck it away in my memory. Blast it through my earbuds. Sing it. Pray it. Stop pitying myself because I can’t seem to find my way in a self-inflicted darkness. Instead, I need to open the floodgates of my soul to the light of God’s word.
Another April has come and gone… “and what will be the proof that it was here?”
Fields greening under the joint effort of thunderstorms and sunlight. Planters and soil finishers emerging from the sheds to work in the fields. Bugs… because… there must be bugs.
Aagh, the beauty and truth in that. I feel like this month has reminded me to do this. To stare at the world in child-like wonder, while recognizing the responsibility that comes with living life on this spinning mudball. To face down the evil while delighting in the good. To treasure the moments that can slip by unnoticed. To keep my eyes on what matters, and let the rest fade away.
To live wide-eyed.
I guess that’s my little ramble for today.:) On to the rest of the post…
Highlights of the Month
holding and binge-reading the proof copy of my novel
starting work on another novel… more on that in the future!
discovering Alan Gogoll’s music
listening to Nadine Brandes speak at the aforementioned summit… I love her heart in writing.
a trip to the library (this one seriously deserves more than a quick mention on a list. I hadn’t been inside a library for over a year… and the amount of emotion that overcame me as I stared at all the books was very weird. Very. Weird. I now long to haunt the library frequently.)
I became interested in the Elliots’ story while reading Shadow of the Almighty, so getting to read more about them in this book is really awesome. I love the humor, genuine love, and passion for Christ that’s infused in their letters. Also, the author’s commentary and perspective on her parents’ story is so sweet.
Courageous is one of my favorite movies, so when my sister laid hands on this novelization of the movie, of course I had to borrow it.:) I haven’t finished it yet, but already it’s gone far above and beyond my expectations. The way Randy Alcorn weaves so many more elements into the original plot… i.n.c.r.e.d.i.b.l.e. For mature readers, I can’t recommend it enough.
“Self-discovery is nebulous, so approach it carefully. Don’t allow your culture or subculture to influence you. That may sound as clichéd as Disney’s “follow your heart” gospel, but rather than a call to indulge in your sinful instincts without regard to others, it’s a call to embrace the fragment of God’s image that you most represent.”
I highly recommend this article to any writer who is trying to find their voice! Or to anyone who’s just trying to get comfortable in their skin.:)
I’ve been wanting to study theology for awhile and finally started taking it seriously. This book has been so helpful!
Journal Snippets
God, I want to want You desperately. I don’t want to be satisfied with my life and human relationships, though I thank You for making them so sweet. I want to crave You desperately. I want to pursue You relentlessly. I want You to be first in my heart and mind, always. Let me desire to know and love Your ways, and to walk in them faithfully.
Oh, God, it truly is all about You! Not about how I look to the world or what I do for the world… help me to take the focus from me to You and keep it there for eternity.
“Lead, kindly Light amid th’encircling gloom. Lead Thou me on.” Let me bounce that Light into this dark world. Make me patient and faithful in the dark.
God, bare my heart to Your instruction and correction, no matter the cost, no matter the pain. I want to be but a channel in Your hand. Make my life soft clay between your fingers; shape, twist, smash, and form it into proper shape, then hold it to the flame. Remove the dross, O Lord. I say so a bit tremblingly, but know this is what I want… what You want.
Help me to love others extravagantly – to live intentionally and boldly so I may do so to the fullest.
What made this April stand out to you?
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something through one of the links I share in this post, I receive a small commission… at no extra cost to you.:)
I have no idea if anyone’s noticed, but I’ve been consistently posting on the blog here every Monday and Thursday since last August. Until this past Monday.
Most of the years I’ve spent writing have been driven more by random bursts of inspiration rather than me sitting myself down and forcing myself to write… so having the “2 posts a week” rule for myself for several months here has been incredibly good for me.
Yes, your sense of the impending “however” is correct…
I’ve been doing a lot of self-evaluation lately… evaluation of my writing life included. One piece of wisdom I’ve kept in mind while doing so is this:
“We must determine to be limited and concentrate our affinities.” – Oswald Chambers
This is a challenge for me.
I’m realizing that I’m moving out of the phase where posting twice a week is beneficial and even healthy for me, because I’ve come to grips with the fact that it isn’t exactly my goal to be a successful blogger. My goal is to write quality books, and to use this blog as a place to connect with you, update you on my writing journey, and share encouraging, amusing, and thought-provoking bits I find glinting light on life’s road. In scaling back here I hope to be able to better pursue both of these goals.
So… if you happen to look forward to reading my posts, then you’ll (hopefully) look forward to a weekly post all the more! And if notifications for my new posts make you cringe or groan… well… I’m cutting your suffering in half. You’re welcome.
Also…
I just want to thank you guys for sticking with me as I try to get this writing show on the road. Your encouragement and support blesses me so much!
If there’s anything you’d like to see me share more often on the blog, please let me know. I’m here for you guys, and your feedback is much appreciated.:)
The spikes they drive into Your hands Are pinning down the base demands My flesh makes of this life. Poured onto You is all the wrath I’ve pent up for myself – this bath Of pain was meant for me. Whippings Stabbings Piercings Shame – Hatred Malice Awful stains Of sin were bringing these on me But You stepped in, said, “Let her free – I love her – punish Me.”
I weep here as I hear You groan In agony I have not known Because of what I’ve done. How could I bring such awful pain On You – the One Who speaks my name With love and songs of joy? The sky is black – Your voice is loud “It is finished!” hears the crowd Before You bow Your head. Rumblings Crumblings Quakings Dead Are stirring – Now lift up their heads As sin’s dark curse forever breaks – The broken heart inside me shakes In awe of what You’ve done.
This matchless love – like crashing waves – Has swept this haughty white-washed grave And washed it of its rights. I see this life’s not truly mine – You gave me Yours for all of time The day You died for me. Such love deserves all I can give – All that I want now is to live To hear You say, “Well done.” Friendships Free time Choices – They Are Yours – I pray, Lord, day by day To live this life to make You proud And unashamed to be my God. I love you, Lord – I’m Yours.
Laurel Luehmann 