Hide and Seek

September 6, 2022

Tag, you’re it!

Do you remember playing hide & seek as a child? I could find some of the most amazing spots to hide because who wants to be IT? Not I! One of my favorite hiding spaces was under Grandpa and Grandma’s front porch. Wooden lattice surrounded the darkness beneath, and usually, only the garden hose hid there. No one looked there because of the resident – spiders. Well, everyone except yours truly. When I hid in the dark recesses under that porch, no one could spy me.

I can’t imagine hiding under that porch today with all the creepy crawly things that live there. But, back in the day, I didn’t seem to fear them. Or perhaps, my desire to win the game exceeded any fear I might have had.

Today, many of us hide not under the porch but behind our electronic screens. Like the Wizard of Oz, we try to portray an image of bigger, better, wiser, more powerful, and more fun living, so no one will discover just who we really are. The pandemic didn’t help either. We all were ‘hidden’ as we were isolated behind screens during the months we isolated ourselves. Those screens used for work, worship, and socializing gave us a safe space to conceal our true identity.

Then, as we stepped out of isolation and met people face-to-face once again, we sometimes strained to recognize each other. For example, during those long months of quarantine, my hair color dulled to the shine of my natural color – gray. When someone sees me for the first time in a few years, they pause and look. I joke and say, “I’m living the truth!” They seem to understand and even comment on the “natural beauty” of my hair.

If we are truthful, we all have tried to hide something from someone. Often, we do this to soften the impact of a situation. Or perhaps we want to appear in control. Or we don’t want to disappoint. I know I’m guilty of that. The One I have tried to hide from most often knows me the most, my heavenly Father. I can’t hide from HIM.

God certainly isn’t hiding; we simply need to seek Him.

In Psalm 24:1 (NLT), Kind David reminds us that God is everywhere. “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”

The more of God I seek, the more of God I find. Look at the rays of sunshine. Feel the breeze on your face. Hear the birds singing in the treetops. God is everywhere. What a grand and glorious feeling! He loves us as we are, gray hair, wrinkles, imperfections, and all.

We don’t have to screen anything from God our Father!

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12 Comments

  1. Thank you for bringing out the truth in aging!!!! You gave me a refreshing perspective.
    Being 74 means flabby arms. Those I try to hide by sewing lace on the sleeves. Who am I kidding? What do I think I am hiding?
    You made me realize that even with flabby arms, God made 74 beautiful!
    As of today, I shall not hide. It’s His light that is noticed, not what the world reflects.
    Thank you, Mrs. Jackie (down here, you are Mrs.Jackie), for sharing truth.

    • Mrs. Bev, always good to hear from you. God created us to be His shining light, no matter our age. You have always reflected God’s love and grace. Thank you for taking the time to reply, and I am determined to get down south to see you and taste that Cajun cooking of yours. Roy loved it!

      Jackie

  2. Such an uplifting reminder that God sees and loves us as we are. Thanks for your encouraging words, Jackie.

    • Cathy, I see God shining through in everything you do! You and Mike are such a beautiful couple. I am so glad our paths crossed in Faith4Caregivers.

      Blessings,

      Jackie

  3. What a beautiful reminder! Thank you!

    • Nancy Lee, thank you for your encouraging words. I can’t wait to see how God will grow our friendship.

      Jackie

  4. Jackie I so admire your ability to articulate your thoughts & memories. You bring the word of our Heavenly Father into our daily lives intertwined with our everyday routines. It is refreshing & uplifting reading your stories and so relatable. Thank you for sharing them with us. ❤️

    • Rosa, I am eternally grateful for God bringing our lives together. I continue to covet your prayers for me, my family, and my writing.

      Oh yes, thank you for sharing with your sister Martha in NM. I hope she enjoys my devotional you sent her.

      Hugs and prayers,

      Jackie

  5. You’re right Jackie: We can’t hide anything from our Father. I feel I must disappoint Him sometimes and have to remind myself that He loves me anyway.

    • Candyce, you can’t imagine the times I tried to hide from God. I am so grateful He remains patient and faithful to me. I love the line in the song, Reckless Love of God, by Cory Asbury. “He found me with His overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.”
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xx0d3R2LoU

      Blessings,

      Jackie

  6. Love your color scheme and your post, Jackie. Also no hiding the grey here either, I’m highly allergic to hair dye.
    However, I’m embracing the aging process with the comfort and knowledge of being in God’s grace. He sure is all around.

    • Mysty, thank you for your kind words. Yes, I am living the truth these days and embracing this new decade of life I find myself living in. And each day is an opportunity to discover something new God has in store for us.

      Jackie