I am not empty,
I must raise the shutters
Of my dwelling place,
So that others can see
The life, that lives within.

My house on the outside
Suffers from neglect,
Compounded by discontentment,
For what I consider to be
A total lack of beauty.
This walks, hand in hand
Side by side
With an enormous
Inferiority complex.

If I never learn anything else
In this life, I have learnt
Without question,
That a low self image
Insidiously destructs
And deteriorates.

How tightly I have kept
Doors and windows
Purposely closed.
A shallow effort
To protect my vulnerability,
To keep guarded, my heart and soul.
A misguided attempt to shelter me
From my fears of rejection,
Be they real or imagined.

This is such utter foolishness,
Totally unwarranted
And certainly without honor.

I am a child of God,
I am beloved in His eyes,
Thus... accordingly,
I should be beloved in mine.

God does not consider
My living quarters as a hovel,
Therefore, neither should I.

I am going to throw open this home,
I am going to endeavor
Accepting the fact that I am indeed
A wonderful creation
Of a kind and loving Father.
I realize that I must have
More regard and dignity
For my existence.

Thank you Lord
For all the blessings
That have been and will be in my life.
Help me to be worthy
To be called Your child.

Teach me how to live
Within the walls of this temple,
My home,
As you would wish me to.

In grace, with love...  Amen

I be me BUT who does me be?