Beloved dust
We all know what it’s like to feel exposed. We know what it’s like to have the light reveal the dark places we have been trying to hide. In those times, questions of right and wrong rarely enter our minds.
Instead, something clicks on deep inside of us that turns us to the pragmatic. “How can I fix this?” becomes the sole question that captivates our hearts. Our first instinct is to hide.
I see this posture of hiding in my children. When they are exposed, when they are caught doing something wrong, they hide. Each of my children has distinct tactics, but the goal is the same.
My son’s methods are blatant. When he is caught in the act of hitting his sister he will run away and bury his head in the couch so that I cannot see his face.
My daughter usually hides by doing something she thinks will please me. When she does something wrong, she will immediately offer to help clean up or ask if I want to color with her.
My son’s hiding is a bit more obvious and, on the surface, rebellious in nature, but the truth is that my daughter’s strategy is just as problematic. She is seeking to avoid being seen by putting on good character. In effect, she is saying, “Daddy, I don’t believe you can love me in the truth of myself, but I believe you can love the good little girl, so here she is.”
Both my kids are seeking to hide the fact that they have done something wrong. They fear exposure.
Things are vastly different when I am playing hide-and-seek with my kids. They love to play hide-and-seek with me, but they are terrible at it.
I am usually assigned the job of seeker, which is never very challenging. I hardly have the chance to ask the question “Where are you?” before they answer. Within a few seconds of looking, my kids will, without fail, jump out and expose their hiding places. “Here we are,” they both yell in unison.
My kids believe the real essence and joy of the game is in being found, not in hiding. They desire the moment Dad sees them and scoops them into his arms.
As a dad, these contrasting scenes tell me a great deal about my kids. Their postures toward me when we are playing hide-and-seek are completely contrary to their postures toward me when they do something wrong.
When we are playing hide-and-seek, my kids have a posture of exposure and embrace. Even when they are hiding, they are itching to reveal their positions, to be found, hugged, and laughed with.
On the other hand, after doing something wrong, they often have a posture of fear, shame, and avoidance. They don’t want to be seen.
My job as a dad is to ask the same question I do when we are playing hide-and-seek: “Where are you?” My job is to call them out of hiding and to love them in the reality of their brokenness.
“Where are you?” That is the question.
We spend much of our lives hiding; doing everything we can to avoid exposure. We create false selves that have proven to work over the years. They serve to keep our failures, our wounds, and our brokenness out of sight.
We believe this is what allows us to maintain friendships. It is what keeps us safe from relational harm.
However, the truth is it keeps us from knowing real relationship, for it is in being known that we truly experience love. If you want to have vibrant, flourishing, and intimate relationships, there is one catch — you actually have to show up.
A note from Tsh
What you just read from Jamin is an edited excerpt from his new book, Beloved Dust, and he is offering TEN Art of Simple readers an opportunity to win a copy.
Just leave a comment below for a chance to win.
This giveaway will end on Saturday night, October 25, 2014, and the winners will be announced shortly thereafter. I hope you win!
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I’d love to read this!
Hmmmm…..makes me think about my own “hiding” techniques and how that relates to my relationships. Would be an interesting read!
I would love to read this.
I’d love to read this one!
Wow, what a fresh perspective! Would love to read more, so just in case on the off-chance you would post to Germany ……..
I would love to read this!
I have come back to this three times today. It’s confronting for me, personally and as a mama.
I’d love to read more of this!
That was a great introduction to the book – now I really want to read it!!
Wow, this sounds like an amazing book!
This book soundslike something right upmy alley.
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance!
Sounds great- thank u!
Wow. This sounds great!
Sounds intriguing!
Thank you!
Would love to read more — thanks!
Beautiful words! I would love to read more.
This will keep me thinking today – my kids each have their own hiding mechanism. I’d love to read the book!
This looks great! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Thanks for this thought provoking passage. I look forward to ready your book in its entirety! Winning it would make it even easier 🙂
Awesome giveaway!
It got my attention. In interested to hear more.
I would love to win this book!
Pick me! Pick me!
Oh man- how true is this! Beautifully written. This is going on the reading list.
I work at a children’s center and I am often amazed by the behavior of the children…..and even my co-workers. It is interesting to observe so many behaviors…and I wonder if I exhibit some unusual ones, as well. I’d would really appreciate an opportunity to have this book for my very own!! (I’m certain there would be many observation notes included on the margins….. as I am inclined to make my books personal!)
Thank you so much for this article. Just last night I was praying for the Lord to show me how to deal with a healthcare worker at my mother’s assisted living home who is covering up her negligence. This article gave me some insight on how to deal with her. And thank you for giving your readers the opportunity to own the whole book. Bless you!
This looks like a great book.
Sounds like an interesting topic to tackle.
I’d love to have a chance to read this book. Thank you for the chance. 🙂
Thank you for this little story from your book. Your writing felt inspired as if it would bring the comparison to our hiding from God. So, it was no surprise when i read that you are in a pastoral position.
I enjoyed it very much and it left me wanting to read more. My son is turning 20 y/o next month and your writing took me to a place of very sweet memories.
I’m hoping you will consider sending a copy my way. Once read, i will pass it on to others so they can enjoy it as well.
Sincerely,
Jonnie 🙂
Beautiful insight ~ I’d love to read this book.
I have been hiding for so many years, still trying to heal the little girl inside me. But so true, we are so scared of showing the real inner child or who we really are now.
Would love to win a copy !
Sounds like a good book!
What a beautiful analogy for the way we seek or try to hide from Jesus. Thanks for sharing.
Timely words. I would like to read the book!
Would love to read this.
Would love to read the rest of the book, sounds very accurate to how our children “hide” . Thank you for the opportunity!
This reading hit home, I am currently hiding from what I am suppose to be doing… too ironic for words. I am heading back out to do what I am called to do, mothering, laundrying and educating.
It sounds very good.
I would love to read this!
As a mom of six, I can really relate to children using varying ways to hide when they have misbehaved. I enjoyed Jamin’s post and would love to read the whole book.
I would love to read this – and come more out of hiding!
I love the idea of your daughter hiding in her goodness-I see that in myself and my son
This would be a very interesting read. I wonder if it is connected to other personality traits — my son is an introvert and does try to hide. My daughter is an extrovert and she does the overcompensation thing too.
Ohmigosh! This totally sounds like a book I need to read to help me figure out how to repair some relationships in my family.
This is great!
Such a moment when you open emails and choose to read a certain that is the exact message you needed to hear.
I would like to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway ~
Great thoughts! Would like to read this!
Would love to read this book.
This is incredibly insightful and a great analogy, both emphasizing our importance as parents in loving as God loves, but seeing ourselves as the child. I am excited to learn more!
Wow- sounds interesting!!
I’d love to read this!!!
So grateful for this message – it is the issue that The Lord is working out in our family – and this just confirms His Love and Guidance as He is saying, “Yes this is the way, keep walking…”
We would love to win!!
Great post, lots of truth in there, and … lots to think about! Will definitely have to read the book, hope I win!
Oh how I know that impulse to hide when you’ve done wrong. I’m trying to be more consistent to stand in naked vulnerability and admit my wrongs. I’d love to read this book!
Just the excerpt made me think about my most important relationship, the one between me and God. This book would definitely be a growth opportunity and I’d love to have a copy. Thank you for the chance!
I would love to read this. Simple. Profound. True.
I would love to read this book! Fabulous!
Beautifully written! Would love To read the whole book!
As Pontius Pilate would say, “What is Truth?” Looks like great read
This lines up with a little lesson I learned just last night. I learned that my 4 year old nephew is great for accountability, but he doesn’t neccessarily call you out when in the wrong (but he does it with kindness if so). This kid points out the victory. When he notices that someone spoke the better word versus the not so good word he lets them know and tells them good job. Accountability, may be more for celebrating victories and creating more victories than just for finding out our brokenness. Christ is celebrated in the victory over sin, not just His finding and baring our sin. Conviction is healthy, but we cannot have and share victories if we don’t come out of hiding.
Ah, just show up. Love this excerpt – sounds like an interesting book.
I’d love to read this book!
I would love a copy of this book so I can help my daughter when she hides.
This was a great post. Thanks.
The title is so captivating, “Beloved Dust”! Would love to read. Thank You.
Thank you for hosting this give-away. I would love to read this book.
The title reminds me of a young teenager who guided us while in the Sahara telling us how much he loved the dessert with his bright eyes proving it to be true.
Wow what a powerful excerpt! Would love to read the rest!
This is the story of the Garden of Eden right? Hiding from God in our sin. Sometimes it is difficult though to find someone in life to be transparent with…but maybe that is just my fear in the way.
I had quit playing hide-and-seek with my boys for that exact reason. Where was the challenge? You just might get me back to looking for them again. 🙂
There is an incredible amount of insight here… How we hide is my meditation for the day. One of my aspirations is to raise a child without shame inducing tactics, so this is right up my alley. I just hopped over to Amazon to grab a copy. Thanks for bringing this book into our world.
I like what I read… Simple and profound.
I would love to win this book! It looks like a great read 🙂
Would love to read this!
“Just show up” one of my favorites! This sounds like an amazing book! ❤️
I read the first few paragraphs and thought “how like my daughter”, it wasn’t until you related it to me (as an adult) that I thought “How true?” Would love to read this book to help reveal (or point out again) the masks I have on! Looking forward to ripping them off!
Count me in! 🙂
would love to read this!
This sounds like a great read! Our church is striving to create real community, and this excerpt speaks so clearly to that–it is showing each other our junk and helping each other through it. Thank you for the giveaway!
This is beautiful and I’d love to read more!
This sounds like a really powerful read! Would love to check it out!
What a powerful way to illustrate this.
Haha. I thought the title of “Beloved Dust” followed by “giveaway” meant you thought we wouldn’t want to read your post if you loved dust. lol. That was cracking me up. I would love to win the book. And I do love my dust. 🙂
I would be thrilled to revive this book
That is a conceit i find myself dwelling on often.
This is quite relevant to my stage in life. I’d love to read further. Thanks for introducing the topic here on the blog.
We are Beloved Dust…oh who am I that He be mindful of me. Thank goodness He is! I would love this book!
I would love to win!!
The title of the book is intriguing! Looks like it would be a good read.
Power of insight!
sounds like a great book!
Beautifully inspired, this topic hits home for me.
i would love to add this to my personal library!
What a great perspective. At first, I didn’t know where he was going with this. But then while he was describing his two children, I thought, im just like his son where I hide. I’d love to read more.
This book looks fantastic. Thanks for the chance.
This sounds very good, may help me to not hide from my Father, God.
Thanks for giveaway.
This excerpt makes me want to read more – right now! Thank you!
Very timely message in my life! I would live to read this.
I would love to read this!
I have lived this message and this book sounds so insightful!
Would love to read this! Thanks to the authors for a great giveaway!
Looks like a great book
Looks like a wonderful read
I’ve been brought to the realization that my relationship with my husband is on auto-pilot. We both do what we think we should. I’ve been working on growing and rediscovering my relationship with God. Meanwhile, praying that my husband might begin to know God through myself and our family and friends other than just knowing “of” God as he was taught in CCD at a very young age. I would love to read this book to continue getting to know myself and growing closer with God, as well as my husband. I’m excited about this book!
I would love to win! Thanks!
Looks like a great book, would love to read!
This book sounds great!
It sounds like a great book!
Thank you for sharing this. As a parent, I found myself first relating to the way my own children “hide” before turning thoughts to myself and facing my own mechanisms for hiding, of which I have many. I’m in a small group through my church that is discussing a very similar topic this fall. I will be sure to recommend this book to them.
Would love to read this!
Would love to read this, thank you fo the opportunity. (:
Sounds like a great read. I have 3 boys and see their different personalities in this area too.
It takes courage to be real in front of the world and not hide but unfortunately courage is in short supply these days. Sounds like a great book.
I would be so grateful.
Great book to open up a dialogue with spouse and children. Thanks!
This is stirring. Adding this book to my reading wishlist!
“He knows we are dust” is one of my favorite verses. I would love to win this!
Great excerpt. Would love a chance to win the book.
WOW this brought to mind, not only myself & my hiding ways as well as those ways of my childcare children. I would love to read the rest!
Sounds interesting! Thanks for the chance to win!
I so want to read more!
What great insights. Look forward to reading more…
This sounds like a need to read!! I have four beautiful babies so I could benefit from this immensely!!
How beautifully you elucidate for me why God asked Adam and Eve “Where are you?” I never understood it so completely. As a daughter, from the time I was little to now over half a century, I craved the comfort of my earthly father’s blessing, and felt only censure. Your writing underscored that craving ache, but in some way also comforted, by reminding me of what my heavenly Father’s heart is like. Thank you.
I would love to have a copy of this book! This passage relates so much to the stage of life I’m in right now with my children. Being a parent forces you to stop hiding & grow up in ways you didn’t even know you needed growing.
This looks great – thanks for hosting the giveaway!
This book sounds incredible!
This really made me think about the hiding I’ve been doing, would love to have the book!
I would love to win this book. Sounds like a great read.
Reading this makes me think of the way we hide, not only from each other, but also from Christ when we do something we are ashamed of. We run and hide, not wanting to be found. But when our relationship is right, we love to be found. What joy there is in being found by our Lord, even when we don’t want to be. Because it is there that true, loving relationship blooms.
Engaging thoughts! Seems like a great read!
Great excerpt to introduce people to the book. I know I’ve hidden for other reasons. When I came out of hiding, some people didn’t like it. That’s on them.
Thanks for the opportunity! Would love to read this!
Sounds like a good book. I’m intrigued by the title.
I would love to read this!
I love to read. This sounds like a great book!
I loved this post, and this book looks great! Thanks for the chance.
Would you post to South Africa?
This book sounds amazing. Definitely need to read it!
Wow, what an excerpt. This sounds like me, and my children and I would love to read more to understand it better and start moving beyond this behaviour for all of us. Becoming able to say ‘here I am’ face the truth and see that we are still totally loved and accepted would be amazing!
Interesting perspective and one that I will definitely think about the next time I play hid and seek.
We have always hide from our sins. Great read! Would love to read more!
Please!!!!!!!! Pretty please with sugar and a cherry on top?
This excerpt is fascinating.., it speaks to me as an individual and also as a parent. I would love the opportunity to read more.
this looks terrific, and like it would be a really timely read. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
What a beautiful message!
I just ordered this book and can’t wait for it to arrive!
I enjoyed reading this and would love to read the whole book! 🙂 Thank you for the opportunity!
This is so…profound. I’ve observed similar behavior and motivations but never quite like this. I’m betting there are good mines of other truths abd knowledge throughout the book that both Christians and non-Christians alike will appreciate.
And how do I hide?….. Let me count the ways : /
This book sounds like the perfect follow up for the study I’m currently doing at Church.
Speaks pretty close to my heart at this exact moment..
I’d love to read this book!!!!
Sounds like an awesome read! I’m going through this stuff at home with my son & family.
This book sounds wonderful, thank you for giving the opportunity to win a copy!
That was really lovely.
ha! i was just looking over my kitchen this afternoon, and all the accumulated dust that the sun through the window was revealing, was absolutely embarrassing.. i think this would be a perfect book for me! 😀
Yes, I see that tendency to hide in my son. and the desire to be found when playing hide-and-seek. I know I’m the same way. Would love to read the book.
the excerpt above describes my children own hiding techniques. sounds like a great book!
This book sounds awesome!
Sounds like a great book!
Very thought provoking
I would *love* to read this. Thanks for the opportunity!
Sarah M
Interesting perspective….
Really interesting….same human nature.. from the Garden of Eden to our own kids “hiding” – whether in play or shame. Love how God seeks us out and loves us, just the same…
I think you hit the nail on the head – would love to read more!
Sounds like this would be a very interesting and challenging read!
My son and daughter have the same patterns…I would love to read more!
Good topic to discuss. I am always surprised by other people’s impressions of me. Who I am and who I present don’t line up. Working on that…. Would love to read this.
Sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for highlighting this book and for the opportunity to win.
Wow-he pegged the kids so well, yet the way he nailed my hiding is almost unnerving. I would love to read this book. Wow. Wow.
Would love to read it!
Such great point.I don’t think about us as adults hiding or real selves. Love the example, of paying hide and seek.
Showing up is important in every relationship. At home, with friends, extended family…I have been guilty of this in the past. I have a sister who is “hiding” right now. We want to reach out and love her through her time of need but she doesn’t feel worthy of our love. This book could give our family the insight we need. And maybe we can share it with her.
This is beautiful. It’s going on my “to read” shelf.
Wow, sounds like a great read!
I would love to read this book
i know that instinct to hide all too well!
Sounds rich! Would love to read this!
I have a copy of this book, I haven’t delved into it quite yet but I would love to win another copy to give away to a friend. I believe that this book will transform lives and I’ve only read the introduction to it! Thanks for sharing this giveaway and thanks to the author!
I would love to read this !
I would like to read this book
This looks like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sound parenting advice. I would like to read the book.
Things come into your like just when You need them the most…….I have had bad relationships all my life.
I would love the chance to read all of your book and put it into good use. Maybe I can figure out why I have been “hiding” the little girl and always trying to be good so I would be liked.
Great excerpt, makes me want to examine myself and find out what my own ‘hiding’ techniques are and how to change these in myself, to be a better wife and mother.
Thank you!
This is pretty meaty. I’d love to read this book!
Whether I win or not, I think I’ll be reading this book in the near future! Great snippet and very thought provoking.
Sounds like a great read!
I would love to read this!
WOW! What interesting insight. I would love to read this 🙂
Blessings!
Praying we can foster safe places in our home – one for all family members to come out of ” hiding”!
I really hope I win thia too !
Yes, we do develop some quite elaborate ways to hide don’t we?
Looking forward to reading more !
Just this morning I was lovingly confronted with a painful truth about the way others perceive me when I speak. I thought I had spoken truth in love – and perhaps they simply didn’t like the truth I had to share – but apparently what I communicated came across as harsh and unloving. I am sad and I want to hide. I want to face my sin, my part in this conflict, but I want to run from those who hurt me. So for now, I run to the Father’s arms and ask Him to give me courage to face others in time.
great article that reminds me of my tactics hiding from God.
Wonderful excerpt! I love the idea that ‘being loved comes from being known’, that resonates strongly with me. Thank you for sharing!
I would absolutely love to read this book.
sounds like a greatly needed read!
Please enter me!
Hiding within myself seems easier than having the courage to expose myself, faults and all, to friends and family. The more I hurt, the deeper I go into exile. Its difficult to be open about failure. Still I am grateful for each day God gives us no matter the outcome.
I would love to read this!
I would love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for this opportunity!
Thanks for this. Sounds fascinating!
This is where I am, coming out from shame. This is where my children are. Lord, make us whole.
I think we all are in that position Michelle. All any of us can do is ask for help and forgiveness….
I would love to read this book – thanks for the chance to win
Would love to read this!
It’s Amazing how we still operate from the curse of the fall of man. Our Heavenly Father searched for Adam, and He still searches for us today. We can’t hide, nor should we because He loves us, but we still try. When will we get it 🙁 I’d love to read this book. I believe it would bless me tremendously 🙂
Sounds interesting, I would love to read it.
I loved this excerpt; now I want to read the entire book!
What a generous offer–thanks for sharing with us!
I would love to read this book!
This would be a great read!
Fingers crossed 🙂 It sounds like a great read.
Lots to think about- would love to read this
Would love to read! Thanks for the post.
I would love to read more… love the way you ferret out truth in the midst of real life and responses to it.
How often do we adults do this too! What a wonderful way to explain it. I would love to hear what he connects to next!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I have found that I “hide” my true thoughts and feelings quite a bit for fear of being judged and deemed “not worthy”. This sounds like an excellent read.
You show wonderful insight into your children’s motivation. . They are lucky people!
Beautiful perspective. I would love to read more.
Good words! Would live to read the whole book!
I love the cover of the book and your post is so true
and causes me to go inside myself, and think a lot!
Many thanks for the chance to win this intriguing book…
Cindi
This is so powerful and so good.
This sounds really interesting. I would love to read it. I hope I’m not too late.
Compelling!
Sounds spot on!
I can’t wait to read more!!
WOW! How timely a piece for my heart. Our second child has always hidden after doing something wrong and he’s just started really testing limits and so does it a lot. It’s his job to do that though. He’s 3-1/2. This was a nice reminder and interested perspective that will definitely help me in parenting him. Would love to ready more!