When I was a child, I was a troublemaker. My father was a key part of the church we attended at the time. He was the youth pastor and worship leader at the First Church of the Nazarene in Los Angeles. In elementary school, I rarely saw my father. He worked early and when I was home he was sleeping or getting ready to do something at church. That’s when I think my first wall went up. My father was rarely around when I was growing up and expected my mother to take care of us, which she did an amazing job of. I was always teased for being a mama's boy at church. It wasn't my fault. My mother, my sister and my aunts were the only family I had. It was maybe until 7th grade that my dad started to be a part of my life. The wall that was erected because of my father is a wall that is almost torn down. Little Josue behind this wall wanted his father to hug him and therefore show him affection. I didn't have the father figure I was supposed to have. I remember once, after a big argument between my parents, my father left the house so they could both calm down. When my father came back for some reason, I was afraid of my father. For most of my childhood, I was simply afraid of my father and viewed him as an authoritative figure. Fortunately, as I said before, this wall is almost torn down. I understand that my father is not perfect, but I also understand that he loves me and wants the best for me. The reason I have this “father wound” is because he is imperfect. Right now, my dad and I have an incredible relationship. I believe the wall will never be completely torn down, but my father is now able to go around the wall and show Little Josue how much he loves him and Little Josue. The next wall I can think of was built between 1...... middle of paper...... test and experience them. We all have wounds. For me, the biggest ones are the “father wound” and the “romantic wound”. Our job is not to tear down walls but to make them accessible. If we destroy them, we also destroy a defense mechanism and without it, anyone can come and hurt our inner child. People need to understand that we have walls and nuts are not always welcome there. Walls shouldn't be intimidating, they should be enough to protect your inner child. Just like the wall, a wound cannot be removed. People are imperfect and hurt feelings. We must heal our wounds and separate them from us. We should not reject them but welcome them. What we see as infirmity, God sees as strength. Once we learn to love ourselves, that's when we learn to love others and that is the greatest commandment God has given us..