Behind the Mask

Most of us like to look at masks. They remind us of parties, holidays,

and parades. When looking at the colors, we are transported to a

type of fantasy land. What we don't know, however, is who is behind

the mask. It's colorful presentation may cover a host of fear, pain or even disfigurement.

In a recent viewing of "The Greatest Showman," I watched how

P.T. Barnum began his business as a showman who exploited

"the unusuals" for profit and later became a man who respected

and affirmed the very people society had cast aside. Barnum went

through a dark time of self examination and finally emerged with

a new perspective.

In the movie, the bearded woman sings the lyrics to"This is Me":

I'm not a stranger to the dark.

I've learned to be ashamed of all my scars.

But I won't let them break me down to dust.

I know that there's a plan for us.

For we are glorious.

After watching the full movie, I have come to understand that the view

from behind the mask may be very different from what we see. The

people who are deemed "unusual" have much to teach us. There is

a plan for each of us.

This goes out to the people behind the mask. There is a plan for each of us and every person is a different color of glorious!