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A Secret Place

A lot of people tell me their secrets. They trust me. Because I’m a trusted confidant for a number of people, I turn to God, journaling, and writing to cope with this honored yet weighty task. Galatians 6:2 reads, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Being trusted with other peoples’ secrets demands a level of confidentiality that shouldn’t be betrayed. Although I’m a writer that aims to be as authentic and vulnerable as possible, I still have boundaries. So as long as no one else is being harmed, endangering others, or committing a criminal act, the secrets confided to me won’t be shared. I’ve seen and heard people break other peoples trust by going public with different things that should have remained private. I maintain that even if you’re no longer in good standing with someone who’s confided in you, you shouldn’t betray or hurt that person by telling their secrets. That’s wrong and you wouldn’t want someone to do that to you. In the past, I made the mistake of opening up to people I probably shouldn’t have and now, I’m more mindful of who can be trusted and who can’t. I’m also reminded that I have a God to talk to. Often, I retreat to my own secret place. A place where it’s just me and God, that allows me to clear my head and be completely open and at peace, away from all the noise and demands of life. I find that I’m most peaceful when I’m just spending time in His presence. I pray consistently, ask Him questions, and sometimes I’m just silent and still (especially since He already knows what I’m thinking and feeling.) Psalm 46:10 reads, “Be still…” Today, I encourage anyone reading this to make and take time to just be still. God loves you and loves spending time with you. Embrace that secret place just reserved for you and Him. One of my favorite gospel singers, Karen Clark-Sheard has a beautiful song called A Secret Place (here) that’s been a reminder of this. Make time for God. He makes time for you. 


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