Have been thinking a lot about the question "How are you?" ever since my Oma's funeral last year. I hate that question. People don't want to hear an answer other than "fine thanks" (or other positive alternatives) and don't really care about how you truly feel. Was asked so many times at my Oma's funeral how I was and with a plastic smile and vacant exrpression I replied with what they wanted to hear rather than what I really felt because that is what is expected.
"How are you?" has become a superfical greeting rather than genuine feeling towards a person's welfare. I too have fallen into the trap of just speaking what is expected rather than taking the time to wait on the other person and pour love on them.
I really like this idea of a R U OK day - in Australia today they are having a day of being aware of metal illness and depression. It is so needed. I hope it will get people thinking more about others and really caring about what is happening in their life. I pray that people in turn will respond with the truth rather than brushing over the hurt and pain they are struggling with internally. We are all broken but we are not called to bottle away our pain because we are afraid of weakness.
It's ok to shout out "I'm not alright". It's even better to know you have a hevenly Father who wants you to share your hurts and pains with Him - because honestly we can't do it on our own.
"If weakness is a wound that no one wants to speak of
Then "cool" is just how far we have to fall
I am not immune, I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the firewall
Can I lose my need impress?
If you want the truth I need to confess
I'm not alright, I'm broken inside
And all I go through, it leads me to you.
Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
Until everything I hide behind is gone
And when I'm open wide with nothing left to cling to
Only you are there to lead me on.
Honestly, I'm not that strong."Sanctus Real - I'm not alright
