Gracious God, sometimes it's hard to hear the truth about myself from others. Their perceptions and observations feel like they are scraping the tender parts of my being, leaving me exposed and vulnerable. I want to hide, or retreat, or lash out to take the emphasis off what feels so uncomfortable and embarrassing. Give me the grace to stand still with ears and heart open, knowing that in the stark nakedness of my exposure, I may hear a word of heaven that brings healing and wholeness to my soul. I ask this for the sake of love. Amen.