Our son is really interested in watches and how they work. As a gift, we wanted to buy him something larger to tinker with and discover, so we bought him a chiming Westminster Clock. My husband had worked in someone’s house who stripped them down and displayed them in a much more contemporary way and as our son is an artist, we thought this may interest him. When it arrived, we were really pleased with it and once it settled in, it was working perfectly.

We ended up keeping this clock for much longer than we had anticipated, as we were both ill and then so was Sam, so we got really used to it’s beautiful chimes every quarter of an hour.

It’s antique wood was polished and graced with beautiful curves. The glass door at the front opened to reveal a beautifully shiny and perfect face and it sang out with a melodic chime every 15 mins. I will mention at this point, that thankfully we could turn this off at night, as at that time, it may not have been such a welcomed noise! Apologies for the quality of some of the photos, as I took them from the original listing. I should have taken photos of it’s lovely form whilst it was here but unfortunately…I didn’t!

The time eventually came when the clock was finally introduced to it’s new owner. Sam was absolutely thrilled with it and immediately mesmerised with it’s beautiful chimes, which were produced by the clock’s tiny four hammers inside. He immediately opened the back of the clock to see the notes being tapped out in perfect harmony. Every cog turned slowly, as it’s intricate design caused it to tick exactly as it was created to do.

As our son proudly and carefully carried it to the car to take it to it’s new home, my husband and I were really glad that he was so happy with it, but unexpectedly, a little sad to see it go.

Less than an hour later we received the photo on the above right. I’ll be honest, as much as we expected this to happen, we were a bit shocked, but knowing full well that the beauty and proper workings of the clock were behind the face, Sam couldn’t wait to reveal it and had broken the outside of it away to reveal the inside. This was the part that was behind the face, which no-one ever saw and I’m sure you’ll agree, it is truly amazing! He is going to proudly display it on it’s new stand for all to enjoy.

I’m sure by now, you’re cracking on to what I’m getting at with this little story. To keep up with “appearances” and often to people please, most of us have a shiny and pleasing outer shell. That’s not to say that people don’t hear the beautiful chimes of the real person inside from time to time but we often want them to see what we want them to see and no more, in case they reject us.

The world is full of opportunities to “case polish”. Anti-ageing creams, expensive fashion and camera filters. All of which cost a small fortune. I’ll admit, I’m not so interested in those things but where I have “case polished” in my life has been more about saying the “right” things, doing the “right” things and avoiding conflict. It’s interesting to me that each and EVERY person is different. Every individual is crafted uniquely, yet, we spend so much time trying to be anything but ourselves. In doing so, sadly, we are concealing the real beauty of who we are inside.

I Samuel 16:7b, the Bible says

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

God is interested in who we really are on the inside, not a polished front we create for others to see, which is why it is that, that He works on. It says in 2 Corinthians 4:16

So no wonder we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is being renewed every single day.

The Bible says in Romans that God works everything together for good. That is to say, He uses everything we go through to grow us, mould us and shape us on the inside. If we don’t allow Him in, then He’s unable to do that. We might think we’re keeping Him from seeing who we really are but He sees us and knows us completely. There’s nothing we can hide from Him. He sees the beauty within us, even when we can’t and He can give us the strength to emerge from hiding who we really are, so we can build true and authentic relationships.

It may be scary to allow yourself to feel vulnerable in letting people see and get to know the real you but it’s the most precious and beautiful part of you. Yes, it’s a risk but it’s where true and real relationships are made. What’s sad is that everyone is so often concerned with covering up the real person within them, that it causes more shame in other people’s lives because they feel they can’t match up to the perfection that’s being portrayed. They feel they’re alone in the things they’re going through. When we allow ourselves to open up, people can relate to us so much better, empathise and understand us more.

I absolutely love this awesome quote from Brené Brown

We cultivate love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known, and when we honour the spiritual connection that grows from that offering with trust, respect, kindness and affection.

The cogs of that beautiful clock are now in full view and yes, more vulnerable to being knocked or damaged, but now can be so much more appreciated and loved for what really makes up the clock.

I encourage you today to relax in your own skin. Make peace with who you are and break open that outer shell so that people can see the beautiful person you really are. It doesn’t all happen in one day…one step at a time. What step are you going to take today?