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Guest Post – How High Is Your Wall?

I think there may be a few of you who will need this post, this book and this woman’s wisdom as much as I do right now! Welcome with me my guest Laura Marshall!

How High Is Your Wall?

By Laura J. Marshall

I can’t see over this wall.

Many days it is like a fortress protecting me from the outside world, against more hurt and disillusionment.

Most days it is like a prison.

If I peer down I can see some of the first bricks that were laid. A few are from when I was in 1st grade and I lost my two front teeth playing Red Rover. The kids called me names. There are more next to and on top of those, the ones that were built when my parents divorced and I built as I grew. Cracking and old, yet they still remain and hold up the others I have added over the years.

I noticed today there were new bricks…still wet with cement. I cried to see them. NO! They weren’t going to hem me in anymore.

I tore at them with my hands. I embraced the person they were intended to keep out. I put my pride behind me and forgave.

I tried to see life from their view. The bricks loosened and came down.

There are moments where someone can smile at me, just waiting on me behind a counter or opening the door for me and I feel another brick fall.

It is amazing how fast they fall with a little kindness. The bricks come down even more quickly when I extend myself over the wall and reach out. I’ve seen extraordinary things happen, like a door suddenly appearing in my wall or a window being thrown open.

Many times the people that have loosened my bricks don’t even know it….a little kindness, compassion, or mercy can affect so many.

I have little ones now. I’m a Mom with a capital M. Today a few bricks fell when my 4-year-old brought me the first daffodils of the season, gripped in his muddy hand. I pray he hasn’t started his wall yet and that over the years he learns how to knock bricks down and to not rebuild.

Bio: Laura J. Marshall is a writer and mother of five boys. Her first nonfiction book is called A Mom’s Battle Cry for Rest: Battle Cry Devotional Series. You can find out more about Laura and her books at www.LauraJMarshall.com