Stripped

Dim the lights.

Play some mood music.

Sit. Hands tied. Mind free.

It's just the two of you.

Insecure, she stands before you.

Nervous.

Ready to take it all off...

She is a simple, yet complex creature with many layers.

Pleasing to your sight, huh?

As her shirt falls to the floor, insecurities cover her body, but you see her lingerie.

Look closer; look beneath the surface.

Behind her smile lies hurt and humiliation.

Behind her eyes are longings, losses, lusts.

Behind those tears are pain and power.

Do you see her now?

You've caressed her body, but have you heard her heart beat?

Have you heard it break?

As her lingerie falls to the floor, so does her unmet emotional needs.

Look closer. Beneath her skin. Pay attention.

She loves you before she loves herself.

She suppresses her needs, to meet yours -

hence her standing before you;

hoping you’ll understand her.

Do you see her now?

You've torn her down, by not affirming her,

by continuing to put you first.

Behind those headaches are thoughts of forgiveness

and feeling like a fool.

Behind her glam, she is an ugly duckling.

Behind her toughness is...well...her toughness

Because you still don’t understand her.

Crazy that, in this moment...

you still don't see her!

She's exposing her soul.

Look closer. Deeper. Beneath another layer.

Her time is spent giving, being, pleasing, helping, caring...

-for everyone except herself.

She has few regrets, but many scars.

Standing there. In the flesh.

Nothing else to hide.

Bare to the bone.

Stripped.

Look at her!

What does she say without speaking?

See her.

Hold her.

Talk to her.

Pray for her.

Celebrate her.

Grow with her.

Know her story.

Help her, help you.

Trust her with your heart.

Love her from the inside out.

Cover her.

Listen! Connect! Reassure!

#DoubleExposure