“We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are, to see through plastic sham to living, breathing reality, and to break down our defenses of self-protection in order to be free to receive and give love.”
Walking on Water, Madeleine L’Engle
My backyard fence hems in our yard with side-by-side wood slats. The wood slats stand together close, but not so close you can’t see between them. And oh, the things you could see if you peeked through them. You might see me chase the dog or fuss at her. Play with the kids or yell at them. You might see me fix a persistent wedgie. To really live means I must be okay with you glimpsing both smile-and-wince-worthy snippets of my life. It makes me nervous, yes, but not enough to hide inside. Oh sure, I could only wander outside when my mood and clothes speak lovely things. But real life mixes in unlovely too, and trying to hide it pretty much ensures it’ll come out twice as strong.
Writing about it all feels like living life twice, like giving you a second chance to see what you missed the first time. A lit bit trippy, a whole lot scary.
When I’m tempted to just up and dive under my bed, I remember Bravery doesn’t always ask us to charge a field running full tilt. Sometimes, He asks us to just quietly take it one slow step at a time in the right direction. Doxologies sing in grand choruses and soft solos.
Either way, there is freedom in sharing the glorious and the messy. When those “defenses of self-protection” tumble down, pride often tumbles along with it. I care more about the hearts of others than how I come across, so love has room to stretch.
How have you felt love stretching lately?
Giving and receiving praise, encouragement and commiseration right here on the good old internets with others I’ve never met. It’s hard sometimes just putting yourself out there for fear you’ll be seen as too bold or just plain clues. Sometimes I’m both. Thanks for letting us peak through your fence.
Ah yes! You give the very best kind, Amy!
And sometimes I’m both, too.
I love this, brave friend. And I love YOU!
Oh, how I love you too, Holley. You are JOY to my heart!
so well said! love this part, “When those “defenses of self-protection” tumble down, pride often tumbles along with it. I care more about the hearts of others than how I come across, so love has room to stretch.” I am feeling love stretching me in so many ways!! Phyically with a new baby on the way and spiritually God is challenging me on letting even more people into my life…letting them see into my heart and me see into theirs….always good, but tough!
He’s challenging me too, Charissa. And yes, that’s it exactly: It’s always good but tough!
{And congrats on your baby!}
God has challenged me lately to share my struggles in order to bring health and hope to others. I don’t get it, because I don’t feel “put together” enough at the moment. With all my heart I hope He’s shining through those slits in the fence, and that, when the neighbors peek through they’ll see Him instead of wedgie-fixing me!
Oh, he is shining through you, Shannon. You are a gem!
You sure captured one of the greatest calls of a writer – one that asks for bravery, courage, instead of packaging everything up neatly with our words, to paint a picture that isn’t quite real. That is something I’m learning as a writer, and it transfers to my entire life… that when I’m willing to be brave about the messiness of my life, it can bring freedom, hope, healing, comfort, or even embolden someone else to be courageous. Way to go taking those steps every day 🙂
Amber, you write and show why better than me. Thank *you* for being here today.
Hi Kristen — I was just sitting here at the park, watching CJ play in the sand.. and I just thought of you… so here I am, after a long while out.. visitng and saying hello — and love reading your words. Your words are like a warm blanket. Comfy and cozy… His Spirit through you. Yep, I’m quietly walking one step at a time. 🙂
Needed your beautiful words this morning. Trying to explain why but the words won’t come so I will simply say, Thank you!
You’re such a gem, Beth. Thank *you*.
I can’t read anything about bravery without thinking of that new Josh Groban tune (“Brave”) 🙂
On a more relevant note, you reminded me of the prodigal son story (Lk 15), where the older brother refuses to enter into the party…and sometimes when I read that, I hear cowardice in it. I hear that he’s not giving himself permission to be brave enough. So it is with me, sometimes – I remind myself constantly these days to receive grace, celebrate, live in thankfulness, join the party! And true – that could be a grand chorus or a soft solo.
Love the correlation with the prodigal’s brother. Celebrating others’ victories often requires us putting our pride on the back burner. True, true.
You write so beautifully – and I laughed out loud at the wedgie comment! Ha!
Thank you, Jessica. {grin} Just keepin’ it real!
This is the second post I’ve read about being brave… thinking God’s trying to tell me something 🙂
Janelle
Beautiful my friend! Thank you. Sending you love…
Michele! I miss you, friend. Sending love right backatcha. Hugs to you!