Phase 2 of The House Behind The Trees ~ The downstairs #TeelsBuildaHouse

So we are starting the downstairs ... I HATE to say basement because we had a basement in our old home, where you opened a door and went down stairs separated from anything else. It was a finished basement complete with a bedroom, craft room, family/game room and we spent a lot of time there ~ our oldest son moved down there in jr high and stayed through high school ... until we finished the master suite in the attic then he moved back up to the bedroom floor with his brother and sister.  So here our downstairs is open to the rest of the house, you can see through to the outside from the top of the stairs going down because we have a wall of windows down there as well.  We really didn't plan to have a kiddo down there but since we are having to do a switch-a-roo with rooms (I'll explain later) he is moving home soon and will be downstairs. Anyhoo, our downstairs will house our main family room, our middle sons room, a full bath and kitchenette.  I thought it would be fun ...

Take Off the Mask

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

It seems that many people struggle to be real, acting one way on the outside, and another on the inside. Why? Because we have weaknesses, faults, and fears ~ things about ourselves that we think make us less likable or desirable, we’d rather hide from other people.

The danger of wearing a mask is that it misrepresents who we really are. What other people see is a lie and by the time we reach adulthood, we’ve spent so many years hiding we’ve forgotten those real things about ourselves, the things that make us different and special. What a shame! What a waste!

Each of us is uniquely created by a loving Father who rejoices in our individuality ~ individuality that He gave us! In fact, it is those distinctive things about us, not our “sameness,” that make us special to Him. The little girl with freckles, the young lady with the dimples, the beloved gray-headed grandmother with the sweet smile, they all stand out...they’re special! And we’re special, too!

Sure, we all have flaws. We’re all less than perfect and wish we were better, but we need to know that God loves us just the way we are right now AND His love for us will never diminish.

God desires that we walk in truth, because only the truth will set us free. He will help us to let down the defenses we’ve had up for so long. God knows how badly we want to fit in and be accepted.  We have to trust Him to give us favor with people, instead of feeling that we must hide the real us. Learn to live truly by being genuine and real.

Lord God, thank you for setting me free when I put my trust you!  I know you love me  and that you want me to be who you created me to be.  Help me to always trust your ways, In your name I pray, Amen.

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