Vulnerability

I am overwhelmed and amazed by the outpouring of love we have felt since people found out about James losing his job. It is downright amazing. I think so often the knee-jerk reaction is to retreat, become overly introspective and keep to oneself. I totally understand that reaction, there is often a sense of shame associated with it, and we don't ever want to appear weak or vulnerable. What is amazing is that this is really contrary in my experience to how most humans respond to crisis. I think even in our fallen human nature when we know someone is going through something rough, we want to reach out and help. Look at the outpouring of help to complete strangers that happened after Hurricane Katrina or the earthquakes in Haiti! How much more do your friends and acquaintances desire to reach out to you as you go through these hard times?

In the last week I have received a multitude of emails, texts, phone calls and Facebook messages from friends and acquaintances. Many have contacted me offering words of help and encouragement on more than one occasion. I cannot begin to tell you how much these words and acts of love and kindness have made the last several days so much more bearable. People that I don't even know that well are encouraging me and offering to take me to lunch or offer an ear or give me a hug. WOW!!! It is like the arms of my Heavenly Father embracing me and loving on me.

Yesterday, I spent the better part of day with a bunch of women I hardly even know. My sister had encouraged me to come to a Bible study and other than being loosely acquainted with a few of them, I really didn't know them at all. But yet, once they heard about what we were going through, they prayed for me, loved me and ministered to me. It was truly just what I needed. But I am convinced, if I had kept it to myself and not allowed myself to be open about what we were experiencing, I would have missed out on the huge blessing I received from these precious women, (who I know consider friends!)

But here's the catch...you have to step out and be a bit uncomfortable and vulnerable. It is easy to build up walls. Those walls that we build so we can be protected and not harmed. Walls that keep us safe in our own little world. But unfortunately those walls keep everyone else out and NO ONE can get in to help us. Sure by opening yourself up to others you do run the risk that someone might say something a touch unkind. Or someone you thought was a good friend might not say much of anything at all and act like nothing happened. But those are the exceptions in my experience. Stoicism leads to loneliness and loneliness leads to heartache, depression and desperation. And in the midst of a trial, heartache, depression and desperation already rear their ugly heads, so you might as well not add insult to injury.

So I'd rather take a chance of breaking my walls down and allowing others to see me for who I really am and trust that most will be more kind and loving than I ever deserve or can imagine. The cold walls we too often build up really don't provide much warmth or encouragement, do they??? I love the verse in Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity!" What an awesome promise. A friend loves us at all times and a brother is born to help us in times of adversity. Reach out to your friends and family and let them minister to you and help you through the difficult times!!!