Exposed
Maybe it’s because it’s Sunday and I’m feeling “churchy”. Maybe it’s because I’ve thought too much about it. Or maybe I’m just being cheesy, but this busted tree got me thinking.
We’ve got two of these big trees in our front yard. Identical. They were planted (by someone else) at the same time and for the past ten years or so, they have grown together. They looked the exact same until the other night when a storm came through and decided to rip half of our tree on the right down. Kinda lame huh? Now after pretending to be a lumberjack I’ve got this little pile of wood and a half of a tree. The front is all exposed and all the leaves are on the back.
Now, I’ve had more than a couple people tell me what a bummer it is that the front of the tree is missing, rather than the back because that’s the part that everyone sees. That’s the side that we ‘represent’ our yard to the neighbors with. That’s what makes this tree look good. You see where I’m going with this don’t you?
Now, imagine if the back of this tree had been ripped off. It would look all symmetrical from the front. Matching the other tree and fitting in perfectly. No one would be able to tell there was any damage and we could all go on pretending that this tree hadn’t weathered a storm and continues to stand. The damage would still be there, it would still be half a tree, but at least the ‘public’ part would look good, right?
We love to pretend that our tree fronts are perfect don’t we? We love to show the public our full, leafy side. We don’t want anyone to know that we’ve been through it. Struck by lightning or pushed over by a storm. We don’t want people to see that we’re completely exposed if you just looked at us from a different angle. And you know what? Most people don’t want to even take the time to see that angle. They’d rather see the side of you that is symmetrical and ‘together’. Because then they don’t have to help.
It’s easier to drive through a perfect suburban neighborhood and see symmetry. See the fake. That’s what we show, and that’s what we are shown. Because it’s easier than accepting the fact that we’ve all had storms, and our front sides have been ripped off. And that sometimes all we are left with is a lame pile of firewood that we don’t even know what to do with because we have a gas fireplace that we never even turn on because it seems like a really stupid way to run up your gas bill.
What side of the tree are you showing the people around you?
wow, son, deep !!! Profound, really. I certainly hope I show the truth. Not completely open with everyone , but I hope atleast real. Cannot stand fake. Sometimes I am pretty open. Thanks for the thoughts.
3rd time’s a charm, I hope!
First off, it’s Sunday. Right? The day that one doesn’t read blogs, so you do a rambling bullet point post. Dang, I had to think about this one! I knew where you were going. And rightfully so. I am trying to step out of that plastic girl & become more real & more transparent. So God shines through. Not me. For so long, I had to be perfect. I believe that overwhelmed my brain & led me into addiction. It is awesome to be real. And if someone doesn’t like it, they need to move along. I am who I am. (how cliche!)
I was trying to picture you with a chainsaw the other day. Just never got a clear pic. Glad you safely tackled that huge branch. And now people will need to be patient. The real tree is working to repair itself. With Brody’s help…..
Great thoughts, Brody.
[...] simply called: “Exposed” [...]
I agree with Barb that is deep and profound. My first impression was that maybe you should do a sermon in church one Sunday because that really got me to thinking.
Good thoughts man. To be honest, it reminds me of the concept behind the song, “Stained Glass Masquerade”, from Casting Crowns. Heaven forbid if we let “the neighbors” see what happens in our homes on, say, laundry day or when we just don’t feel like maintaining the inside cause we are exhausted … would they still think the same of us?
Well written and well said.
Oh, I know what you mean!
I try to be real with people, because I too can’t stand FAKE. A couple of weeks ago, I saw an old friend at church. We asked each other how we were doing. She said that they were in “cruise control.” Kids out of diapers. Not in school yet. Things were easy. I told her that we’d just moved, kids are busy with different schedules and activities, I’m working full time, and I was feeling really disorganized. Life is more chaotic for me right now, not on cruise control. My friend got a look of pity on her face and offered to come over and help me catch up on things. I mean, she felt REALLY SORRY for me! And honestly, things are not that bad; I was just trying to give an honest answer to “how are you?” ha ha! I felt bad for making her feel bad for me and wished I’d not been quite so transparent… Oh well. Sometimes, you can’t win!
That is very profound, Brody. Great thoughts to meditate on. Thanks for sharing!
I try very hard to tell people who ask me “how are you?” something real. If they want to know they reply, if not they will say something “oh ok”. Telling people “im fine” is almost never the whole truth even if you are “FINE” at the moment. All too often we just don’t listen enough to other people to find out why “fine” doesn’t describe how things are going so they won’t tell us.