“The parts of me I usually like to hide are the very parts where God is working through my life and my story.”

That’s what I said earlier this year, when I was asked to look into the (in)RL camera and answer how community has hurt me and how it’s healed me.

I took a deep breath and started talking about how I’d been afraid to open up about bad things that happened to me out in the mission field when I was in my twenties.

I was afraid because when I returned to confide in people — people who were used to the bubbly Bonnie didn’t know what to do with the broken Bonnie — the Bonnie who was hurt and confused.

Silence only meant one thing to me.

Rejection.

I resolved to let time do its healing work.

So, I went into hiding — for nearly a decade.

Parts of Me

I returned to doing all the normal things I’d always done — routine and predictability.  I started getting busy again, exploring next steps, to prove to myself that I had moved on.

Slowly, it seemed everyone seemed comfortable with me again.  No awkwardness, no hard questions.  Just smiles set out like a welcome sign to tell everyone, “Hey, I’m back.”

But, inside.  Not all of me was back.

Parts of me had gone into hiding — the ones most in need of community.

Inside, I struggled with fears, insecurities and disappointment. I felt tired and alone…

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…To catch “8 Ways To Come Out of Hiding” & read the rest of the story – click here to join me over at DaySpring’s (in)courage site, where today’s post is published.

PSST…  I wrote a special message tucked at the end of the post over at (in)courage, written just for you!

Take a virtual coffee break together and share your thoughts. I’ve turned off comments here, so we can all meet up there!

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Free Printable: Just CLICK HERE to download a free 8.5 x 11 printable version of the above quote on encouragement.

It’s this week’s free (in)RL Check-In Printable – featuring copy and art from a postcard in the forthcoming Postcards from God’s Beach House Encouragement Set.

{The downloadable print is available FREE through DaySpring.com. This is a free download and your credit card information will not be requested. You’ll receive a link to the Printable in your confirmation email. Easy. Free. And Fun.}
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