Devotion
Fig leaves dry out
“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”
Genesis 3:7
The first reflex of shame is to cover.
They feel exposed, and within a breath they are manufacturing something to put between themselves and being seen. They grab whatever is closest, which happens to be fig leaves.
Practice
Name your fig leaf out loud today, and be honest about what it costs you. Then do one small thing you would normally use it to avoid. Answer the real question instead of making the joke. Stay in the conversation thirty seconds longer than is comfortable. Small and honest is how this starts.
Prayer
Jesus, I am tired of keeping the cover in place. I do not want to spend another year managing an image of myself. Show me the one I reach for most, and give me courage to put it down today. Amen.