PAGES

“You open and close me,
Like a book that’s too much to read.
So you skip though my pages,
‘Til you find what you need.”

-from the song “Between the Lines” – Erika Luckett

The desire to be seen and appreciated is deep.
Some would say it is the deepest desire we have.
But the experience of it is rare. Far too often, we feel
misunderstood and unappreciated at work and at home.
We feel the deepest pain when our romantic partner seems
blind to who we are. We wish someone would be willing
to linger over every ‘page’ with love and understanding.

But, do I really give anyone a chance? Can I expect
others to give me something other than what I give
myself? Do I skip through my own pages
looking for something I think someone will want?
Do I hide pages and chapters even from myself?
Do I borrow pages from others, pretending
they’re mine – sure that none of mine would be
acceptable.

What if someone did manage to see through the smoke and
misdirection signs; pry open a few locks; and really
‘see’ me? What if someone told me that I was ‘magnificent’,
or ‘remarkable’, or ‘wonderful’?

Would I discount what they said?

“I know better. I’m full of faults. I’m no one special. Look
at my life. I’ve messed it up so many times, how could anyone
think I’m exceptional?”

“They can’t be seeing Me,” I might say, dismissively.

But maybe, just maybe; there is a Masterpiece within;
and maybe I am hearing a call to that Magnificence
….to come forward,
….to show itself,
….to quit hiding.

Maybe I’m being invited to Self-discovery,
to Self-love. Maybe I will want to linger
over my own ‘pages’ with love and understanding.

Maybe then, I’ll recognize when someone sees me deeply
and will be able to appreciate it for what it is – a precious gift.