but just this once
it’s worth using…
As a child, there many words my sisters and I were not allowed to say. Raised in the South by a conservative family meant getting your mouth washed out with soap if any “curse” words slipped out of your mouth. The funny thing was I didn’t learn real curse words until I was probably a teenager. My family’s list of banned words was a bit different than most. There was the “s” word... you know... shut up. There was another “s” word... stupid, and there was the seriously offensive “f” word... (which I feel like I have to spell because I still can’t say it outloud) f-a-r-t... If Granny heard you say that, you better run and hide! You’ll get soap and then have to pick your switch!
There was another four letter word that was banned in our home... the “l” word. Having trouble guessing what this one was? It was LIAR. My mom couldn’t bear to hear this word. We could never talk about someone else as a liar and my sisters and I definitely couldn’t call each other liars. It may not warrant a mouth washing, but it was definitely on the list of “bad words”. While I still avoid saying this word out loud, in today’s post it’s the only word that fits. Because I do know a liar. And I’m going to tell you about this liar today.
I was driving alone in my car recently and a song by Zach Williams came on the radio. I almost wept. These were the words I needed at that very moment. Paul and I were preparing to fly out to speak for a photography education platform and record a talk about the Blessing. The idea of standing on a stage, in front of a live audience, and then being recorded for photographers all over the country to hear about this deeply personal project provoked profound fear in both of us. There was a few days that Paul and I didn’t even talk to each other much because fear was consuming us.
The song “Fear is a Liar” came on my radio at the very moment I needed these words. I hope that as you are reading this, that you need the same reminder. THIS is truth... fear is not truth. He is a liar.
Here are some of the lyrics. Even if you’ve heard this song, please read the words slowly.
When he told you you’re not good enough
When he told you you’re not right
When he told you you’re not strong enough
To put up a good fight
When he told you you’re not worthy
When he told you you’re not loved
When he told you you’re not beautiful
That you’ll never be enough
Fear, he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
‘Cause fear he is a liar
When he told you were troubled
You’ll forever be alone
When he told you you should run away
You’ll never find a home
When he told you you were dirty
And you should be ashamed
When he told you you could be the one
That grace could never change
Fear he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
‘Cause fear he is a liar
I encourage you to listen this song. We all need this reminder because there are so many opportunities throughout every single day of our lives when fear has the ability to lie to us. I pray as you listen for a weight to be lifted off your shoulders and for a veil to be lifted from your eyes. This is likely the only instance I will use this four letter word... but I know my mom will approve.
With much love,
Kristin