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Matt Woodcock, Church of England Pioneer Minister and Mission Supporter in the Diocese of York:

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I’ve just returned from my annual bonding trip with my dad. For years now, Woodcock Senior and I have descended on a European city to get reacquainted for a few days.ÌýÌý We’ve done all the greats: Paris, Rome, Berlin - Bridlington.

I’m still recovering from our latest adventure - Malaga.

Fuelled by fantastico cerveza and tapas, it was an unrestrained, emotional time of high-spirited bonhomie and deep conversation. ÌýA test of tolerance, too - of each other’s quirky foibles, annoying habits and obvious differences.

Lord knows what dad does in the bathroom for all that time.ÌýÌý And don’t get me started on his snoring.Ìý Wheezing sows would be quieter room mates. Ìý

Yet our trips have taught me that we have one striking similarity: when it comes to our feelings, we are massive oversharers.ÌýÌý No small talk or hint of English reserve with us two.ÌýÌý Just lots of conversations peppered with lines like, ‘I love you’, ‘I’m proud of you’ and - when we start to get on each other’s nerves - ‘I’m sick of you’.

Our tendency is not - to quote that Beautiful South song - that we ‘keep it all in’.
But that we let it all out.I think I get it from my grandma.Ìý I’ve never known her not tell me exactly how she feels at all times.Ìý Be it about how my parenting could improve, that embarrassing spot on the end of my nose, or how proud she is.

In my spiritual life, I’m also learning to be more open-hearted. ÌýI think God loves an oversharer.ÌýÌý After all, it was St John who wrote that ‘..the truth will set you free’.Ìý So, I daily try to tell God my truth - however harsh or doubt-ridden at times.Ìý Increasingly my prayers fluctuate from being words of thanksgiving at the wonder and beauty of life, to laments at the unfairness and ugliness of it.Ìý I’ve found an inner liberation, a lightness of spirit, in being so honest with God.ÌýÌý My joys, insecurities, frustrations and fears - he now gets to hear the lot.
As for my earthly father, he already wants to plan our next trip.ÌýÌý I’m in.

Call us oversharing, soppy sentimentalists, but for me and dad, Zoe, we’ll never tire of beingtold we’re loved - by someone we love.
Even when they have kept you up all night snoring.