Charade

I was baking the other day, and due to carelessness ( or over-confidence in my ability to control the oven ), my cake cracked. To cover up the crack, I slathered thick cheese frosting on top, and scattered some chocolate rice. My aunts went 'Ooooh' and 'Aaaah' over it. They just saw the beautiful dressing, as the cracked surface has been painstakingly concealed.

A pimply face, under tons of foundation and artful make-up. Results : porcelain complexion.

A pear-shaped body, concealed under a slim pencil-line skirt. Results : breath-taking figure.

The wolf, dressed in sheep's clothing, instantly looks like a sheep, if you can ignore the long nose and the sharp teeth!

'Dressing' conceals all faults. In certain cases, some people use dressing as an armour to conceal who they really are. An old friend of my mother's, a rich and arrogant old lady, would simply not step out from her home without first decking herself in expensive jewellery and beautiful clothes. And of course, her trusty tube of lipstick is a must. Working girls will spend a bundle on a Coach bag, to signify their successful working status and independence. Managers will splurge on a luxurious car and home. Status. Wealth. Image. Success stories. The confidence that goes with it. The need to appear above others. But reality is carefully concealed behind the successful veneer. The reality of debts, of loans. Of skipping meals to make ends meet. The stress of being unable to match finances with appearances often results in strife, causing havoc to private lives. And yet, most will continue to live deceptively affluent lifestyles. 'Dressing'  gradually becomes quicksand. It suffocates and sucks a person deeper and deeper.

One might also 'dress' one's attitude and public face. Some use different faces when talking to different people, appearing humble and obliging when conversing with the rich, but domineering and superior while talking to the poor. The rich and famous, in an attempt to gain fame as a generous donor, will give to charities amidst flashes from cameras, smiling magnanimously while handing over big mock cheques. Even in churches, the outwardly pious and devout-looking person might not the person you believe he / she is. I knew a woman from my old church. She's the first to volunteer for church work, first in line to the charity box, and always praises the Lord. But it's a different story at home. She bullied her mother-in-law, and in the end, forced the old lady to move from her home. The old lady was frightened of her. No doubt moving out was a relief for the latter.

Facades. Charades. The perpetual care for outward appearances. There will be no rest, as the person is forever on stage in the public-eye, imagining oneself to be forever in the spotlight.

But when we face God at the very end, the curtains are down. The end of the charade.