Pondering Transparency
Time for “All Cards on the Table”
I’ve lived long enough now to understand that being authentic and open is a process. It takes courage and inner strength to be vulnerable – to just be YOU. And surprisingly, I’ve found when we are more transparent, it opens the door for others to share their similar struggles and challenges. We can admit our weaknesses and flaws. In the sharing we no longer feel alone. We can offer one another understanding, support and HOPE.
Growing up, my father was a fun loving and creative human living with a disease. He used alcohol to cope with the anxieties and the ups and downs of life. My family was frustrated and disappointed with his behaviors to say the least. We coped by hiding this disease and worrying about what he would do next. We were always on edge. Unfortunately, this did not help. It only hindered any chance of healing and recovery. Thus, he never sought help and we lived and still live with the consequences.
If only as a child I could have shared this with a trusted friend. But keeping our family’s secret was a priority. Years later, I found that I had friends who were hiding this same struggle. How tragic! Fortunately, we have come a long way since then. And yet if we are honest, even now we often give the impression that “everything’s fine”. As Christians we come and go to Sunday worship each week and have no idea what burdens others are carrying. We greet one another with a smile and say “God bless you”. Truth be known, most of us are struggling physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. If we are open, the Church can be a place to share burdens, lift spirits, offer hope and pray for one another. We need to remind one another that we are not alone. We need to assure one another that God is at work for good.
Living with Covid these many months has taken a toll on ALL of us. The isolation, fears, confusion and division among us is tragic. Many have suffered grave illness and even death. The rise in mental illness and its severity is evident. John Hopkin’s latest research reveals that the lock downs have caused tremendous social and mental consequences.
I believe in my heart that the mental health crisis in our midst needs to be acknowledged and addressed. Just after Christmas our family was confronted with a crisis that resulted in a mental illness diagnosis. Having the courage to ask for help has made all the difference. Even if we are resilient, resourceful, faith-filled and creative, most often we need to seek professional help, and the prayer support of trusted family and friends.
The concept of putting “all cards on the table” was wise advice from a trusted mentor. This helped us to openly share and ask others to pray. God is doing marvelous things and the prayers of many have made a world of difference! We are forever grateful to those who hold us in prayer as we navigate the winding path to healing and recovery.
I share this with you in hopes of encouraging you. We are never alone and we are in this together. With God’s help we can face this mental health crisis with compassionate caring, faith and the power of prayer.
In just a few weeks we will be launching a "Glimmers of Hope" card set to reach out
to those dealing with mental health in today's challenging world.
A portion of sales will be donated to
"To Write Love on Her Arms", a non-profit organization
that exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment & recovery.
