Surprises and Confessions

Available for over a year

Spiritual reflection to start the day with Ennette C Lainchbury Good morning. This year, my husband finally finished his GP training. It's been a long 15-year journey. To celebrate this huge milestone, I ordered some cakes. I secretly messaged his family to come and visit and surprise him. It took every fibre of my being to keep this secret. I don't know if you've ever had to keep a secret or experienced that same feeling, like the knowledge was eating you alive (for better or worse). Well, in the aftermath of my successful surprise dinner, I thought a lot about that feeling, that like eruption of relief and joy when finally, it was all out. It got me thinking about this passage in the book of James, which says, “confess your sins to one another so that you may be healed.” Not because I have any answers or have experienced a miraculous healing myself, but because it made me think of all the times, I randomly turn to my husband and I say: Can I tell you something awful? Can I just say this thing and get it off my chest? Can I tell you something without you judging me? I've confessed so many frivolous, vulnerable, funny, random, and serious things to him. In this moment now, I realise how incredibly lovely it is to have a person who can accept all of you. Someone to confess the ugliest things to and yet still be considered lovable. In lieu of a physical person, I'm grateful too for the nearness of God, his quiet kindness and listening ear. Remind me today, oh God, that you are not too holy and unapproachable, but rather so deeply curious about all my confessions. Today I choose to confess all the silly and profound musings of my mind. May my every good and errant thought wander into your kind presence today. Amen.