Chris' prayer: Joy Williams' "Hide"

You don't have to hide anymore

As I mentioned yesterday, I helped lead a retreat this weekend. And as I alluded to, it went exceptionally well; it was perhaps the best retreat I've ever helped lead. There were so many things that were just perfect, but none more so than the opportunity I was given on Saturday afternoon.

As part of a session on reconciliation and forgiveness, I chose to confess to the retreatants the ways in which I have sinned against them. I wasn't sure at all how it would go over, and was concerned that it might damage my relationship with them. In fact, I wasn't sure I could even go through with it.

As I stated yesterday, I underestimated God's role. Nowhere was that more true than during this session. I bared my soul to the teens who came along, and, in the process, God's grace was poured out on me in ways I never could have imagined.

The moment I stepped out of Reconciliation, having received God's pardon, I had a teen there ready to offer me his. And then another. And then another.

It was all a bit overwhelming and a little bit more about me than I would have liked the talk to be, but at the same time, it was so worth it. In the act of opening myself up and making myself vulnerable, I had created a connection with these teens, carving out an authenticity that was hidden or lacking before. The experience was incredibly spiritually and emotionally opening. [I] don't have to hide anymore.