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The Wall: A Parable
A modern parable relating the consequences of surrounding ourselves with protective walls that isloate us from love and fellowship.
93 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1977
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 8, 2018
Yowza. What a punch to pack in a small amount of pages. I think the most powerful books are the ones where you see yourself represented, and I saw myself in these pages. The author shares about how once you're outside your wall, you are able to help others who are still hiding behind and building theirs. So here's a piece of my testimony about my wall, in hopes that others who are clinging to their walls will find some strength:
I started building my wall in sixth grade. When you're bullied as I've been, it's the safe thing to do. You want to do whatever you can to protect yourself from feeling that way again; people don't feel safe anymore because at any moment, they could say something else that shatters your heart once more. As a result, nobody sees the real you because you're scared the real you won't be enough; that the real you doesn't matter. You get safe behind that wall, but you develop some damaging behaviors behind the wall because it's just you; nobody can see, right?
I hid behind my wall until my second semester of my freshman year of college when I decided enough was enough, and I wanted to reclaim my life. I was tired of being lonely,tired of feeling ashamed of who I was, tired of feeling uncomfortable in my skin; I was tired of being a victim. I reached out to God to help me break my wall, and while I had kept Him just outside the wall for the past several years, crying out to Him within the cracks, I finally let Him all the way in. Very slowly, He has helped me break that wall over the past seven years of my life.
When I went away to school and found myself in a Christian community, I took a few more stones down. When I went on my mission trip to King's Domain, He encouraged me to walk outside the wall. Sometimes, I still revert back to that wall. Sometimes I still want to be the victim, because that's something I know. Shame can actually be a comfort because it's become so inbred in your spirit. But walking outside that wall, I've become stronger than that broken sixth grader could have ever imagined. It's easy to build walls and live behind walls, but life is SO much better outside of them. There are still boundaries in my life, but there are also some beautiful people who have seen me and accepted me for who God created me to be, brokenness and all. And if you continue building that wall, you will never find the unbelievable peace and comfort and joy that comes from someone who truly sees you, loves you, and encourages you.
I started building my wall in sixth grade. When you're bullied as I've been, it's the safe thing to do. You want to do whatever you can to protect yourself from feeling that way again; people don't feel safe anymore because at any moment, they could say something else that shatters your heart once more. As a result, nobody sees the real you because you're scared the real you won't be enough; that the real you doesn't matter. You get safe behind that wall, but you develop some damaging behaviors behind the wall because it's just you; nobody can see, right?
I hid behind my wall until my second semester of my freshman year of college when I decided enough was enough, and I wanted to reclaim my life. I was tired of being lonely,tired of feeling ashamed of who I was, tired of feeling uncomfortable in my skin; I was tired of being a victim. I reached out to God to help me break my wall, and while I had kept Him just outside the wall for the past several years, crying out to Him within the cracks, I finally let Him all the way in. Very slowly, He has helped me break that wall over the past seven years of my life.
When I went away to school and found myself in a Christian community, I took a few more stones down. When I went on my mission trip to King's Domain, He encouraged me to walk outside the wall. Sometimes, I still revert back to that wall. Sometimes I still want to be the victim, because that's something I know. Shame can actually be a comfort because it's become so inbred in your spirit. But walking outside that wall, I've become stronger than that broken sixth grader could have ever imagined. It's easy to build walls and live behind walls, but life is SO much better outside of them. There are still boundaries in my life, but there are also some beautiful people who have seen me and accepted me for who God created me to be, brokenness and all. And if you continue building that wall, you will never find the unbelievable peace and comfort and joy that comes from someone who truly sees you, loves you, and encourages you.
May 27, 2025
⭐: 5.0/5 Bricks Removed
I don't want to take away the impact of walking through this little story, so I will simply say it was deeply moving. It won't be hard for adults or children to connect with this book, and I feel as though it is a good reminder of how building walls effects you and those around you. Whether you are religious or not, I think it shows how small gestures of kindness and recognition can be more powerful than we think. Too everyone who needs to hear this today, you are uniquely and wonderfully made. Thank you to my grams for this book, much love, and blessing to you all.
I don't want to take away the impact of walking through this little story, so I will simply say it was deeply moving. It won't be hard for adults or children to connect with this book, and I feel as though it is a good reminder of how building walls effects you and those around you. Whether you are religious or not, I think it shows how small gestures of kindness and recognition can be more powerful than we think. Too everyone who needs to hear this today, you are uniquely and wonderfully made. Thank you to my grams for this book, much love, and blessing to you all.
February 8, 2019
Excellent lesson on how people build walls around themselves to keep others out. It deals with loneliness, pride, self-esteem, and most importantly, letting Jesus help tear down those walls. I highly recommend!
January 30, 2021
Great book
Loved it! I am using it to take down my own wall. It's lonely and dark. No trust to give. People don't even call me anymore. This book out into perspective that God is always with you and can help you overcome fear, resentment, hate, anger, and all. I feel empowered.
Loved it! I am using it to take down my own wall. It's lonely and dark. No trust to give. People don't even call me anymore. This book out into perspective that God is always with you and can help you overcome fear, resentment, hate, anger, and all. I feel empowered.
August 30, 2021
I have used this book with groups of children, young adults, and adults for almost forty years. This book will make you realize how you sometimes choose to live and how to change when you need to.
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March 8, 2022This is a great book for people who are alone.
October 31, 2023
A POWERFUL book that you won't forget. It will transform you if you let it.
October 31, 2024
Super cute read if you like being called out, but actually it was so sweet how the author portrayed growth.
March 25, 2025
Short yet very powerful, packed with lots of learnings.
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December 3, 2025for therapy!
April 1, 2018
Perfect book that explains how we build walls around us that prevent us to see the world as it is or allow others to see us.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews