After all these years...

I did something brave yesterday. I told the truth. I don't know about you, but I am the sort of person who will avoid confrontation at all cost. I'll smile sweetly and nod innocently in the face of torture, but ask me to be honest and say what I really think and I just can't do it -- especially if it means hurting someone's feelings or standing up for myself.

All that changed yesterday.

I had an opportunity to say what I really meant, to explain that something someone did was really and truly wrong and caused me a great deal of pain. I said it without fanfare or bitterness, but I did say it. And you know what? The sky didn't fall because I was honest. The earth didn't shatter and quake because I told the truth about being hurt. I think sometimes as Christians we tend to cover up other people's sins, thinking we are being selfless and decent and gentle and kind. We tiptoe away from them. It's so much easier to say nothing than to get embroiled in some sort of hoopla by confronting someone about his or her wrongdoing. It was a small victory. It was something very tiny that I did yesterday. But for the first time in a long time, I was honest and forthright about how I felt instead of swallowing the pain, putting on a brave face while my heart was aching, and pretending all was well.

I think it was a great start to a new year. A brave first step toward being who I am instead of trying to always be whoever the person in front of me wants me to be. I know some people don't struggle with this type of thing at all. But for those of us who are pleasers, this was no small feat. I am blessed.

Yours, standing tall when feeling small,

Megan Elizabeth

P.S. I posted the photo of my dog Poochini because I love my dog. It has nothing to do with this post. But he's danged cute, isn't he?