It was New Year’s Eve when it happened; a big corner of the living room wallpaper fell down, revealing that it had been re-attached with blu-tac.

It got me thinking, how often do we plaster a smile over a breaking heart, or a brave face over worry? And is it fooling anyone? I have discovered that if you step back into the shadows and don’t tell the truth, you can get by. But if someone steps closer then your game is up.

What kind of person are you? Are you brave enough to face pain or tears? Are you strong enough to show them to other people? I cry a lot and always apologise for it. But maybe the braver step is to just cry and go with it. The key thing is to remember you are loved, whatever you try to hide.

As time goes on and I use more parafernalia to walk, I realised there’s no way to hide my disability. No-one ever comments on it, however embarrassed I am about it. So maybe don’t hide what you’re going through. Maybe wear it with pride.

It’s something I am still working on, but the best thing to do is to think about all the people around you who love you, and the Father who is holding you. So don’t let embarrassment or fear keep you back. What’s the worst that can happen?

Step out with courage and discover love coming to meet you.